Masonic orb pendant of 9k gold circa late 19th/early 20th century, British. Designed to unfold into the shape of a cross, with six pyramids (which represent knowledge and wisdom) engraved on all four sides with key Masonic symbols, including the square, the gavel, and the six-pointed star. (More info on the symbols can be found here.) They were most often worn as watch fobs.
The orb’s shape is symbolic of the earth, but it also resembles a “ballot ball,” which was used during Masonic voting. According to my 1884 copy of The Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, “In the election of candidates, Lodges have recourse to a ballot of white and black balls. Unanimity of choice, in this case, is always desired and demanded; one black ball only being required to reject a candidate.” hence the term ‘blackballed’.
Okay, is it just me or do you see the first picture and think, “Holy Hand-grenade of Antioch!”