Victorian Shiebler Homeric Sterling Silver Graduated Watch Fob

This sterling silver fob features four graduated homeric medallions, dangling from a dog clip. Designed by George Shiebler, circa 1890’s, the piece was originally a watch fob; in contemporary use it makes a dramatic pendant when worn on a chain, or is great for a modern day watch enthusiast. The medallions are hand-hammered, with an ancient and cracked look to them—meant to make the piece look like it had come out of the many archeological digs happening in the Victorian era. Each medallion depicts the profile of a man or woman. The largest is Mars, with his infamous dragon-topped helmet. The smaller medallions feature a bearded man and two crowned women. 

George Shiebler was a New York silver jewelry and wares designer in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Much of his collection was described as looking “as though it had been unearthed at Pompeii and Herculanaeum”. His archeological medallion pendants were re-introduced in the 1880’s and influential in the jewelry industry—in keeping with popular motifs such as bugs, leaves, and sea life that appeared in jewelry as if it had just been “found” in nature. 

The fob measures 5 1/4” long and the largest medallion is 1 3/16” across. It weighs 34.2 grams. The piece originally had a gold wash, some of which is still visible. On the back of the largest medallion the initials “LBR” and “CTG” are engraved, along with the date 02-14-05 (for Feb. 14, 1905), though the piece most likely made in the late 1800’s, earlier than the date of the inscription.