Large Antique 1879 Aesthetic Era Silver Locket

Gorgeous silver Aesthetic era Victorian locket featuring a heron and japanese inspired foliage. The locket has the hallmarks for 1879 and the lion passant for the United Kingdom. It has  intact inserts so you can add your own photos or keepsakes.

If you would like a silver chain to compliment this gorgeous piece please go to the Chains and Pearls Collection in the store.

Herons in Victorian jewellery represented patience and determination. They are known for their stillness and focused hunting, which were seen as virtues during the Victorian era.

The Aesthetic Movement in Britain (1860 – 1900) aimed to escape the ugliness and materialism of the Industrial Age. The philosophy championed "art for arts sake" therefore believing art and literature only needed to be beautiful and did not necessarily need to carry a deeper meaning.

Container jewellery to house tokens and special items have been around since Egyptian times and the first  “lockets” held medicinal herbs, religious relics, prayers or perfumes. Elizabeth 1 is thought to have owned one of the first sentimental lockets which was a ring depicting tiny portraits of both herself and her mother Anne Boleyn. Before the invention of photography locks of hair were often put in lockets to remind you of loved ones. The popularity of lockets as a keepsake grew with the widespread use of photography and endures today.

The locket measures 5.5m x 3.5cm (including the bail).

This unique piece of jewellery may have signs of wear due to its history. It is beautifully imperfect and should be treated with love and care. This locket is in excellent antique condition with a couple of very faint dents on the back.

All Vonk Jewellery is presented in a gift box and pouch with luxe ribbon. If you would like a gift message included please message me at checkout.