Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Japonoiserie Locket, 1880’s. The substantial oval locket with hand-engraved foliate decoration and a raised plain polished section engraved with bird and bamboo. Plain polished reverse. Length including bale 7cm. Width 4cm.

The locket has been called the 'epitome' of Victorian jewellery types. Suspended from chain or ribbon, a locket was a frequent choice for a gift. Indeed, it was Queen Victoria's preferred commemorative gift as it could contain hair, photographs and portrait miniatures. These tokens were generally private, concealed from view and shown only to intimates. Garrard's, Jeweller to the Queen, noted that they were given in gratitude, to acknowledge exceptional services, but also as mourning gifts. Interestingly they were also very popular as bridesmaids’ gifts, the tradition beginning with the Royal family. The Illustrated London News in 1868 wrote "It is the fashion this year for Ladies to wear lockets on black velvet ribbon round their necks, the more lockets you can collect and wear the finer you are. Each locket represents an event such as a birthday or anniversary, a bet - any excuse serves as a pretext for giving a locket'"

Condition: Very good vintage condition, age appropriate scuffmarks. Closing firmly. The locket is glazed on both side of the interior – one side is missing glass.

SEDGWICKS pride ourselves on sourcing and selling Antique & Estate Jewellery that is of fine quality and in great condition.

Antique & Estate Jewellery is seldom in perfect or ‘new’ condition as age is inherent for it to be classified as such. All items we sell are ‘Second-hand’ and will almost certainly show some signs of wear. These may include faint scuffmarks and small dents, even very minor repairs. These are considered acceptable when dealing with objects that have lived a full life. Any imperfections or minor damage will be listed in the description and visible in the photo.

We do ask that you carefully view the photographs provided and note we are happy to supply more images or fuller description if requested.

To help you make your assessment, many higher value items are accompanied by an Independent Valuation for Retail or Insurance Purposes.

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