Vintage Australian Handley 9ct Gold Fill Teardrop Locket Necklace

Lovely vintage Australian Handley 9ct gold fill locket and chain on its original presentation card. The locket is an elegant teardrop shape and has 2 spaces for your own photos.

J Handley was an important manufacturer in the history of Australian jewellery and horology. Founded by John William Handley in the 1920's, the brand operated as a premier manufacturing jeweller and the country's dominant watch case maker from the early 20th century until the late 1980s.

The company were originally located in Elizabeth St in Melbourne but after a brief business partnership with Mr Tilley, Handley moved to its own large purpose built factory at 655 Victoria St, Abbotsford, right near the famous "Skipping Girl Vinegar" sign. At its peak Handley was one of the largest watch case manufacturers in the Southern Hemisphere. Major Swiss watch makers such as Rolex, Tissot, Omega and Tudor trusted Handley to produce their gold and gold fill watch cases for the Australian market.

During WW2 the Handley factory was commandeered and the company produced vital precision military hardware. After the war they returned to jewellery and watch case production until the company's demise in 1987. The opening of global trade and the reduction of tariffs meant that there was no financial benefit of watch casing locally. The historic factory still remains and has been converted into apartments.

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 is signed Handley and is marked 9ct gold fill. It measures 3cm x 2cm (including the bail). The chain measures 40cm.

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 stunning locket is in great vintage condition and is a great piece for Australian mid century jewellery collectors..

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