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19th Century Keepsake Locket Pendant, 18k Gold and Pearl
An oval-shaped locket pendant in 18k yellow gold, hinged with a clasp, opening to reveal a glass compartment for a personal keepsake—a photograph, a lock of hair, a miniature. The front is adorned with a beveled rose gold square holding a central pearl. The gadrooned yellow gold bail is elegantly curved. The piece features two distinct gold tones, the combination of yellow and rose being characteristic of jewelry design in the second half of the 19th century. French work, second half of the 19th century. Maker's mark visible on the bail.
Features
Total height with bail: approximately 4.3 cm
Medalion dimensions: approximately 3.1 × 2.4 cm
Gross weight: 12.2 g (including inner glass)
Metal: 18k gold – 750/1000
Hallmarks: eagle's head (inner rim); maker's mark (bail)
Closure: snap closure, hinged on the right (opens from the left side)
Condition
Good overall condition for a piece of this age. Some slight surface dents and scratches on the inner glass—signs of actual use and wear, not neglect. Minor oxidation, localized on and around the rose gold: an expected and consistent phenomenon, as the higher copper content in this alloy is naturally more susceptible to oxidation.
Note: the hinge is positioned on the right, resulting in an opening on the left side—an unusual arrangement that suggests individual, handcrafted production rather than mass production.
When the locket reached us, it still contained a lock of blond hair and a very old photograph of a young child. The piece had clearly not been opened for several decades.
Ref: NVK4LOQCI1