About this Piece
| Era: | Victorian |
| Diameter: | 1 1/8” (excluding bail) |
| Material: | Tests for gold filled, glass |
| Weight: | 9 grams |
| Mark: | Maker mark inside |
Why You’ll Love It
Unlock the secret language of flowers. During the Victorian era, floriography allowed people to express themselves without words. This antique gold-filled locket is a stunning example, with its lily motif symbolizing majesty, elevating it to regal status. The intricate repousse work creates a soft, petal-like appearance that perfectly captures the delicate beauty of the lily flower. Keeping cherished memories close to the heart is a time-honored tradition, and the regal majesty of the lily speaks to the importance of the memories stored inside.
Condition and Quality
| ● | Bright patina with minimal surface wear to the gold setting. There is a small dent at the bottom back of the locket. |
| ● | Fresh sheen, light surface wear, and no chipping on the glass. |
| ● | The pair of original frames holds photos tightly in place without glass or plastic inserts. |
| ● | Secure, original bail. |
| ● | Closes firmly with a satisfying “snap.” |
Collector Note
On Floriography. Floriography, or the language of flowers, is rooted in the Victorian era. It refers to the assignment of special emotional meanings to certain flowers. Including those flowers in jewelry was a way to slyly convey one's feelings in a society that discouraged showing your emotions. For example, red roses were (and still are today) associated with romantic love and passion, while forget-me-nots symbolized remembrance.
On Victorian. A young Queen Victoria assumed her role in 1837 and her taste in jewelry quickly became culturally influential, within England and beyond. Her relationship to jewelry was enmeshed with her husband, Prince Albert, who gifted the Queen for their engagement, a snake ring, embedded with an emerald (her birthstone) in its head. Continuing from the Georgian era and intensified by Queen Victoria’s taste, sentimental and figural jewelry was a major trend throughout the Victorian era. When certain ideas and words were deemed too forward or improper to be spoken, jewelry and symbolic meaning was used to communicate what was left unsaid.