This is a beautiful piece to add to your house. It certainly will be a conversation starter! The frame is made of pewter and bronze (or brass?). The center is clear glass, and there is brown sand on the inside. The frame is decorated with ruby (glass?) cabuchons, crowns, dragons, and Irish Love Knots. This is the most beautiful, most ornate timer I’ve ever seen. It is very striking. The height of this beauty is 11 inches. I don’t know the age, but I’ve had it for 25 years. I don’t know the history prior to that.