An exquisite all original antique Victorian solid 9ct gold locket beautifully engraved on each side in a different sentimental pattern. One side has a romantic heart motif with scrolling flourishes, shells and an oval cartouche to accommodate an engraved monogram, the other side is engraved in a diagonal lattice pattern with curlicues and and roses.
The condition of the locket on the outside is remarkable and belies its age of well over a 100 years. The engraving is still as crisp as the day it was new with the gold still gleaming a bright buttery yellow. A large diamond cut decorative bale at the top will accommodate a wide variety of chains of different thicknesses.
It is only when we open the locket that we see that this indeed is a very old lady. The interior shows age with one side having a gold rectangular reinforcing plate soldered in place. This old technique is often seen in good quality antique lockets that are a larger size like this, it strengthens the gold so the locket can withstand being pressed closed over the years. The gold plate is missing from the other side but the locket is a fairly heavy gauge gold anyway so this shouldn't cause a problem.
The locket opens at the side to reveal a fairly deep interior with 2 compartments to house photos measuring 35x25mm (approx. 1-1/4" x 1"). The original picture rings are still present along with a brown velvet liner in one side.
MATERIALS: 9ct yellow gold, acid tested
MEASUREMENTS: Stands a tad under 2" tall (48mm) including the bale, 1-1/4" wide (32mm) and 7mm deep.
DATE: 1880's, Victorian
WEIGHT: 9.1 grams
HALLMARKS: None (the locket is professionally assessed as solid 9ct gold, the bale is gold cased/filled)
CONDITION: In great condition, the hinge is in perfect order and and the locket closes tightly with a solid snap. The interior shows soldering, tooling and aged tarnish as expected in an antique locket, please see photos. The gold guard chain seen in the photos is available for purchase separately.
The condition of the locket on the outside is remarkable and belies its age of well over a 100 years. The engraving is still as crisp as the day it was new with the gold still gleaming a bright buttery yellow. A large diamond cut decorative bale at the top will accommodate a wide variety of chains of different thicknesses.
It is only when we open the locket that we see that this indeed is a very old lady. The interior shows age with one side having a gold rectangular reinforcing plate soldered in place. This old technique is often seen in good quality antique lockets that are a larger size like this, it strengthens the gold so the locket can withstand being pressed closed over the years. The gold plate is missing from the other side but the locket is a fairly heavy gauge gold anyway so this shouldn't cause a problem.
The locket opens at the side to reveal a fairly deep interior with 2 compartments to house photos measuring 35x25mm (approx. 1-1/4" x 1"). The original picture rings are still present along with a brown velvet liner in one side.
MATERIALS: 9ct yellow gold, acid tested
MEASUREMENTS: Stands a tad under 2" tall (48mm) including the bale, 1-1/4" wide (32mm) and 7mm deep.
DATE: 1880's, Victorian
WEIGHT: 9.1 grams
HALLMARKS: None (the locket is professionally assessed as solid 9ct gold, the bale is gold cased/filled)
CONDITION: In great condition, the hinge is in perfect order and and the locket closes tightly with a solid snap. The interior shows soldering, tooling and aged tarnish as expected in an antique locket, please see photos. The gold guard chain seen in the photos is available for purchase separately.