French, 43 x 76 mm, 16 g, circa 1800

An extremely rare, decorative pocket watch key with cameo "Napoleon"
Case: gold and gilt brass, large carved oval medallion of sardonyx: the front is decorated with a profile portrait of Napoleon, the back shows the defeated emperor in a pensive mood, leaning against a war memorial.

This key is made of three-layered sardonyx, which lends itself admiration to the engravers' talent. They made good use of the alternating white and red-brown stripes of sardonyx, a variety of chalcedony.