Gold Pendant Watch with Enamel and Imitation Diamonds

This watch is one of the many treasured objects the last emperor Puyi (1906–1967)—also known as the Xuantong Emperor (r. 1909–1911)—kept with him during his exile. Made in the shape of a beetle, the watch has a cover in the form of two wings that can be opened and closed. The front is painted with blue enamel and inlaid with imitation diamonds made of glass. The back cover is made of metal with a realistic, detailed depiction of the beetle's abdomen. The hanging loop is fashioned after the arthropod's mandibles.