Large Gold Locket with an “Old Mine Cut” Diamond, c. 1870

This late 19th-century locket features deep black and gold tones. Set at the center of the design is a large, sparkling diamond weighing approximately 0.85 carats, which stands out beautifully against the dark background. The stone is cut in the historic “Old Mine Cut” style and is set in a flower-shaped “buttercup” setting made of silver. Inside, a glass-enclosed compartment allows for the safe storage of mementos of a loved one, such as a photograph or a lock of hair. A large, enameled loop allows the pendant to be worn on its thicker, corded gold chain. Large, oval lockets like this one were produced in large numbers during the second half of the 19th century, in a wide variety of designs and materials. This black-enameled example was likely created as a piece of jewellery for a period of mourning. Further examples of this type can be found, for instance, in Brigitte Marquardt’s work: Jewellery: Realism and Historicism (1850–1895), Munich/Berlin 1998, pp. 232, 235. We discovered this pendant here in Berlin.

Estimate:$4,824.29

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