Victorian Locket Pendant of Gold and Pearls, c. 1880

A stylized belt adorned with an engraved flower is applied to a round, slightly curved base. With a belt buckle made of pearls, it appears to be riveted to the golden locket, the surface of which has a velvety sheen thanks to the fine gilding typical of the period. A crowning ornament leads to the faceted bail. The design language - a mixture of simple basic shapes and sculptural details with fine ornamentation - is typical of the late 1870s and 1880s. The belt is an old motif of solidarity in friendship or love and became very popular during the Victorian era. Oscar Wilde and Reginald Harding also gave their mutual friend William Ward a gold ring in the shape of a belt. The motif is therefore particularly apt for a piece of jewellery inside which the photos or locks of hair of a loved one can be kept behind two glazed frames. An inscription shows that the locket was once used for this purpose: "Anna" is engraved in elegant letters on the back, the name of the first wearer, who probably received the piece of jewellery as a gift. The beautiful piece of jewellery is in very good condition and is a typical souvenir from Victorian times. We discovered the pendant in London.

Estimate:$3,924.65

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