Absolutely beautiful Victorian sterling silver large sized locket inlaid on the front and the bale with daffodils & roses in 9ct rose and yellow gold.
This locket ticks all the boxes for anything that you could possibly want in a good quality antique locket. It is a large size and solidly constructed in heavy gauge sterling silver so durable and plenty of room for a pictures or a little keepsake, it will even accommodate a modern passport size photo. The gold inlaid flowers are raised which gives it a lovely dimensional appearance and the large pillowed bale is decorated too.
The top of the bale is stamped with an English lozenge shaped registry mark used to protect the design and it dates the locket to 1881, the height of the Victorian Aesthetic Movement. The locket opens to reveal 2 stations for photos along with the square picture rings, black satin liners and hard plastic covers. Inside the locket resides an absolutely beautiful tintype (metal) photo of a Victorian lady who is wearing a plethora of Victorian jewellery! The black and white photo is charming and slightly colorised in a very faint lilac coloured tint which is hard to pick up with the camera.
Given age this locket is in pristine condition and looks to have been hardly worn, any discoloured spots are camera shadow. There are light surface scratches as you would expect but no wear to the sturdy hinge and the locket closes securely with a sharp snap. Outstanding, a truly exquisite and versatile Victorian locket in a hard to find rectangular shape it is bound to bring joy to its new owner.
MATERIALS: acid tested, sterling silver, 9ct gold inlay
MEASUREMENTS: Locket 2-1/4" (5.6cm) high, 1-1/3" (3 cm and 8.4mm deep
HALLMARKS: there are a couple of stamped marks inside the bale that we are unable to read. Registry mark on the back of the bale.
ERA: Victorian, dated 1881
WEIGHT: 25.4 grams
CONDITION: Excellent!