Wonderful Early Key To My Heart sentimental lace pin circa 1820.
 
Designed as a gold hand holding a pearl witche's heart with central glazed hair panel, with a fine chain hanging from her cuff and the heart and holding a miniature gold padlock.
 
The hand wears a ruby ring.
 
Nearly Identical example in the British Museum (except key instead of padlock) , in 'Schmuck: Klassizismus und Biedermeier 1780 - 1850' Brigitte Marquardt, and with Heart Of Hearts Jewels.
 
The hand offering a heart symbolises the offering of ones heart to ones lover; the padlock would imply that the lover already has posession of the key
 
15 carat gold
 
27mm wide x 33mm drop
 
immaculate condition