Swiss Wilhelm Tell two sided silver locket(possibly pocket watch)- 1 inch diameter
One inch circular "locket" with engraved picture of Wilhelm Tell on the front with his son. A picture of a lion is on the back with the inscription HELVETIORUM FIDET AC VIRTUTI below the dying lion. It is def silver and tarnished and worn but clearly identifiable. It has two small balls that move but I can not pry open the locket to see inside.
I found this at an estate sale a few years ago in a sewing box.
Auction House
Yes
Thank you for submitting your item for appraisal. This appears to be an early 20th century swiss locket ( or sewing tape measure? What happens when you push the knobs in opposite direction to each other?) commemorating a visit to Switzerland, depicting the Wilhelm Tell monument by Richard Kissling and the Lion of Lucerne monument. The material could be silver or german silver, an alloy similar to silver. The estimate is based on similar sold at auction.
I am at a loss here regarding the opening mechanism. You could use a very gentle silver cleaner, but in general I would accept patina as a proof of age.
.jpg)
.jpeg)
Thank you for getting back so quickly. So, I can only move the two silver balls toward each other and then they retreat back to middle position as shown. I hear a clicking noise when I push them together but I am unable to open the "locket" Should I use silver cleaner or not to polish the piece? I do not want to harm it in any way.