Fob Decorations

Before watches were worn on wrists they were attached to the end of a chain, the other end of which was fastened to a waistcoat or some other clothing. Over time, many additional ornamental bits and pieces were designed to hang from the chain, and this page is devoted to a few of them.

Jacobite Fob Seal

Barely an inch tall, this is a gilded Georgian 'fob-seal', 'fob' meaning that it was designed to be hung from a watch chain. The carved end could be used to sign documents and seal letters. The seal itself is a white semi-precious stone with an intaglio carving in the shape of a thistle, the emblem of Scotland. It's therefore quite possible that it was owned by a 'Jacobite' sympathiser. The Jacobites were Scots rebels who supported the claim to the the English throne of 'Bonnie Prince Charlie,' Charles Stuart - also known as the 'Young Pretender' - around the year 1745. An object of this kind could definitely give the wrong political message deep in the south-west of England!

This fob-jewel is probably coloured glass. Found in the same field as the above, it is both younger and lower quality.


Two watch keys, which were usually worn on a watch fob. The key itself, a shaped piece of iron, has usually rusted away leaving only the bronze / whatever winding ring behind.

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