Victorian Silver Chain with Locket, British, c. 1880

The 19th century was a time of rapid technological development. The industrial revolution had greatly accelerated the previously leisurely pace of life. New forms of communication and the development of the railroad brought the world closer together. Even if the revolutionary innovations sometimes left contemporaries breathless in amazement, they were nevertheless integrated into everyday life surprisingly quickly over the course of time. In the field of commemorative culture, the invention of photography in particular changed previous customs. Initially, photographs were expensive, but over time they became increasingly affordable. As a result, broader and broader sections of the population gained access to this new medium over the graduated course of the century. This piece bears witness to the high esteem in which photographs were held. A large locket is attached to a decorative and elaborately designed chain consisting of rectangular elements and connecting clasps. Its oval lid has an appliquéd vertical bar in the middle. A dark blue sapphire cabochon sits in its center. The necklace and locket were made in Great Britain around 1880. The shape of this piece follows a fashion that had already emerged around 1860 and remained popular until the end of the century. The wide chain carrying a large locket is characteristic. The chain and pendant are connected by a large spring ring, which is worn visibly on the chest as a decorative element. This extraordinary piece came to our collection from London.

Estimate:$1,897.8

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