Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Oval Locket & Chain, 1880

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A beautiful late Victorian sterling silver oval locket and chain dating to circa the 1880s, displaying the distinctive decorative character … Read more A beautiful late Victorian sterling silver oval locket and chain dating to circa the 1880s, displaying the distinctive decorative character of the Aesthetic Movement. Crafted in Britain, the piece combines intricate period ornamentation with the sentimental appeal traditionally associated with Victorian lockets. The oval locket is decorated in the Aesthetic taste, a movement that embraced artistic expression, naturalistic ornament and influences drawn from Japanese and other Asian decorative traditions. Its engraved surface creates an elegant interplay of texture and light across the silver. Designed to open and accommodate a photograph or personal keepsake, the locket reflects the highly personal role such jewellery played during the Victorian period. Lockets were frequently worn close to the heart and became fashionable objects combining jewellery craftsmanship with sentimental significance. The accompanying silver chain allows the locket to be worn as originally intended, creating a complete period necklace with considerable decorative presence. The absence of gemstones keeps attention focused on the engraved metalwork and aged character of the silver. Dating to circa the 1880s, the piece is an original Victorian example crafted in 925 sterling silver and is not hallmarked. A refined example of Victorian Aesthetic Movement jewellery, combining traditional silver craftsmanship, intricate decoration and the timeless appeal of the classic photograph locket. Origin: United Kingdom Date: Circa 1880s Period: Victorian / Aesthetic Movement Material: 925 sterling silver Gemstones: None The chain is marked Sterling. The locket is unmarked. Gross weight ; 26.1 grams Dimensions; Pendant ; 46 x 35 mm Length including the bale 57 mm Depth 14 mm Chain ; Length 527 mm ( approximately twenty and three quarter inches ) Width of the links 4 mm See less