1966 SILVER QUARTER

This started with what is possibly a clock housing. Challenged by the current Etsy SteamTeam's contest to make a steampunk piece with moving parts, I immediately got the idea of making a steampunk version of the child's toy that has a cardboard bottom with holes and several free-rolling balls which can be put in the holes by manipulating the toy. So I used some existing holes and added a wonderful cog and several other steamy watch parts to give a more challenging terrain for moving the balls over and into. There is a protective pocket watch lens cover that has the haze of age upon it and the 3 tiny balls are Sterling silver so that they show up clearly against all the lovely old brass. The "toy" is prong-set on a vintage brass filigree and the whole assemblage dangles from a 22" vintage gold-filled chain. Some vintage chain dangles off the toy for further steamy vibes. I am a trained, if somewhat playful, silversmith and have assembled this piece to last.

This watch belonged to my wife's grandfather. It dates to1889 and was from the JW Benson Ludgate factory in London. It is a key wound pocket watch made from 925 sterling silver; the watch sailed the world with "Spike" as he was apparently known, in his war years as a serving officer in the Navy.