Antique Victorian Sterling Silver, Black Enamel & Pearl Mourning Locket Pendant

Description

Antique Victorian Sterling Silver, Black Enamel & Pearl Mourning Locket Pendant
This lovely antique
late 1800's
Victorian European hinged mourning locket pendant was masterfully made from 800 Silver covered in gilding and black enamel featuring a beautiful floral design on the front set with two tiny natural seed pearls (the pearls being a Victorian representation of tears shed mourning a beloved person). With a hinged bale on top and fixed bale on the bottom, the piece could originally be worn as a brooch, pendant or bracelet and would hold a picture or a hair of a beloved person. For this purpose the back has a hinged door with a hand cut crystal window. A wonderful antique pendant to add to your jewelry wardrobe!
The piece is in very condition with all enamel intact. The door on the back opens and closes tightly. Misses the pin and catch. Measures 1 7/16" long and weighs 8.5 grams. Tested for Silver.
About Victorian Mourning Jewelry:
The Victorians were characterized in the 19th century by a generous dose of social sentimentality. While the world experienced a large amount of grow
th during the Industrial Revolution in the middle of the century, death rates were higher than today and it was not uncommon to commemorate and honor death in fashion and jewelry.  This became even more the vogue when the leading monarch of the Western world, Queen Victoria of England, lost her husband and plunged herself, her family and her court into the trappings of mourning. Her mourning was so long lasting that it influenced mainstream fashion beyond English shores and the language, colors and iconography of mourning became the zeitgeist for decades.
Very unusual and impressive piece!
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