Unusual Locket Pendant With Hair Inlay, c. 1840

Towards the end of the 18th century and well into the 19th century, people cultivated a true cult of friendship and love. Wonderful friendship albums, called liber amicorum, were created, with artistic ink drawings and verses. People exchanged silhouettes to remember the silhouette of a beloved face and many pieces of jewellery had sentimental meaning. Locks of hair set under glass or rock crystal reminded not only of the deceased, but also of dear friends separated by space, the one or the beloved, and not least of one's own family members. The present pendant is such a sentimental piece of jewellery from the first half of the 19th century. The clear glass pendant reveals a small bouquet of artfully arranged locks of hair held together by a green silk thread. The hair seems to have belonged to two, maybe even three different people; perhaps siblings, best friends or the children of the former wearer. The glass is set in gold. Alternately, the frame shows sculptural leaf elements and garnet red glass pastes formed in rose cut. Below, a small pearl is suspended. We discovered the beautiful pendant in East Westphalia and added a gold-plated chain to it. An unusual relic in its form and composition from the now distant world of Biedermeier.

Estimate:$1,100.49

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