A superb quality and incredibly poignant 15ct gold mourning locket commemorating the death of Lucretia Wainwright Rathbone (1823-1859), the first wife of a well known English MP for Liverpool, who tragically died, aged 35, shortly after giving birth to her 5th child.
Steeped in history, the yellow gold locket is oval shaped with enameled and engraved foliate decoration. A belt and buckle design decorates one side with the other incorporating the inscription 'Lucretia Wainwright Rathbone XXVII May, MDCCCLIX.' (Died 27 May,1859). The locket opens to reveal a glass fronted portrait of Lucretia and a small lock of her hair.
There is a fascinating provenance to this locket: "In her final days Lucretia was tended to by a district nurse, which her husband William Rathbone bore witness to. It was this most needed care that prompted William to campaign for a system of district nursing: to enable the poor to also benefit from similar support. Florence Nightingale was involved with his campaign that, led to a close lifelong friendship between the two, and in 1862 the Liverpool Training School and Home for Nurses was established. From here a district nursing system was set up in Liverpool which eventually spread to the rest of Britain.
The locket comes on a later 9ct yellow gold chain and in the blue antique box as pictured from "The Northern Goldsmiths Company, Newcastle-upon-Tyne"
MATERIALS: 15ct gold locket, 9ct gold chain, tested
SIZE: Locket 1-1/2" high including bale, 1" wide (40x25mm) and 5.5mm deep. Chain 18" (45cm)
HALLMARKS: Locket none, acid tests between 15-18ct. Chain stamped 9KT, Italy
WEIGHT: Locket 10.8 grams, chain 1.7 grams. Total 12.5 grams.
DATE: 1858-59, Victorian
CONDITION: Superb antique condition with minimal loss to the enamelling, this locket has been very well cared for, any dark areas are camera shadow. The portrait still visible with the lock of hair securely anchored in place. The glass is chip and scratch free and the locket closes with a satisfying snap. There is an old repair to the chain with a replacement link. One of the best mourning lockets we have ever had the pleasure in offering, steeped in social history and unique!