{"product_id":"silver-rock-crystal-amulet-locket","title":"Rare Rock Crystal Amulet Locket","description":"\u003cdiv\u003eA rare silver and rock crystal amulet locket, German, late 17th century, made to carry 'crab's eyes'.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eCrab's eyes were not eyes at all but small round stones from freshwater crayfish. In early modern Europe they were a prized remedy, ground into medicine and carried as amulets to protect against illness and harm. Lockets like this let the owner keep them close, visible behind crystal.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eClosed, the locket is a faceted octagon of rock crystal. It opens on a hinge to reveal two hollow hemispherical compartments, separated by a flat piece that held the contents secure. The silver frame is engraved with a zigzag pattern between the stones, and the claws that grip the crystal have neat, symmetrical texture lines.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eIt hangs on a later Italian silver chain. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eA rare survival of everyday belief, and a remarkable object to wear.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDetails:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late 17th century; probably Germany; silver; rock crystal; closed 3.3 × 1.8 cm, open 5.9 cm tall; chain 42 cm (later, Italian, 925); 16.4g.\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Ravensbury Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49368290132276,"sku":null,"price":3619.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0708\/6784\/5428\/files\/p8-18.jpg?v=1793919274","url":"https:\/\/ravensburyantiques.com\/en-us\/products\/silver-rock-crystal-amulet-locket","provider":"Ravensbury Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}