Very attractive 18ct gold double-sided transparent compass charm or fob by Francis Barker c1902

Solid gold ⅞″ diameter transparent compass watch fob or pendant having double-sided peripheral frosted yellow scales open to the centre and enclosed by two “pebble” low dome glasses. Scales hand decorated with cardinals in red and intercardinals in black to one side, both in black to other. Delicately set bar needle with bearings in the upper and lower glass. The compass in a solid gold surround, fully hallmarked for 18ct gold, 1902, the Chester Assay Office, and goldsmith Alfred Wilcox.

The compass swinging freely, finding north easily. The glasses clear, the gold surround in generally very good antique condition, one small ding.

This very high quality compass, with its needle suspended between the two glasses, is the work of Francis Barker, the preeminent maker of compasses at that time. A similar gold compass featured in the Barker catalogues from c1880 onwards, described as “Belcher Pattern Transparent High Power Pebble Lens Bar Needle Charm Compass”. The low dome or “pebble” glasses act as magnifiers, enabling one to read maps more clearly. The compass was available in 18, 15 and 9ct gold. In this instance, the component compass has been supplied by Barker to Alfred Wilcox, which accounts for the particularly fine making of the solid gold surround.

A beautiful gift for an anniversary, birthday or other special occasion.