Pair of 19th Century Grand Tour Malachite-Inlaid Bronze Locket Frames, French

Details

Description

Each of these finely crafted Grand Tour–era oval locket frames is composed of patinated bronze and set with a band … Read more Each of these finely crafted Grand Tour–era oval locket frames is composed of patinated bronze and set with a band of inlaid malachite mosaic, framing a central glazed compartment for portrait miniature or memento. The front features a stepped inner bezel encircling the original convex glass with worn gilding, while the reverse is fitted with pivoting hinged suspension mounts for optional use as pendants or display frames. The richly veined malachite is pieced with precision into a radial pattern, emphasizing the natural banding and deep green tonalities characteristic of Russian-sourced malachite, which was a favored luxury material among European travelers collecting souvenirs in the mid- to late 19th century. The functional hardware and screw-mounted construction suggest continental manufacture, likely French or Italian, during the height of the Grand Tour movement when such items were prized for their classical associations and use in keepsakes. Each frame measures approximately 2.25 inches high (2.75 inches including the loop) by 2 inches wide, with an interior viewing window of 1 by 1.25 inches.

These frames reflect the confluence of neoclassical taste, mineral collecting, and sentimental culture that defined 19th-century aristocratic travel. Malachite, mined extensively in the Ural Mountains, was celebrated not only for its ornamental beauty but also for its symbolic associations with protection and healing, making it a meaningful choice for personal objects like lockets. The survival of both pieces in a matching pair, retaining original fittings and old glass, enhances their rarity and desirability as Grand Tour artifacts. See less