This incredible 1600s Stuart crystal pendant features the initials “R W” weaved with gold thread atop finely woven hair. Underneath the slide it is engraved with the additional initials of “T B” in a beautiful cursive font that was typical of the 17th century. This memento mori is encased in a lovely Stuart crystal dome with faceted edges dating to well over 300 years old. 
This was originally a slide and over time someone accrued a collection of Stuart crystal slides and added them to an ornate gold necklace chain, as evidenced in the last photo in the gallery. This individual crystal was then carefully transformed into a very unique pendant to be worn from the 17th century to the modern era. Photos depict the slide originally on a necklace chain and how it appears now as a pendant. 
Stuart Crystals are rock quartz crystals which were originally used to symbolize their allegiance or mourning after King Charles I’s execution in 1649. King Charles I was of the House of Stuart, hence the name Stuart Crystals. The first ones ever made featured his initials and/or portrait, and later on in the 17th century they were made with intricately woven hairs, memento mori dedications, and gold threaded cyphers. 
Materials: 22k gold (slide) and 14k gold (chain).