Antique Pavé Diamond Heart Shape Locket Pendant
A late Victorian diamond heart shaped pendant locket, c.1896. The domed heart pendant is fully pavé set to the front with old mine cut diamonds and a single pear shape diamond in the centre. The diamonds are set in a pierced out silver setting backed with gold and the rounded back of the pendant in plain polished 18ct gold. The pendant opens to one side to reveal a glazed locket compartment with a four leaf clover inside and the dates 1875 – 1896 engraved at the top, the pendant is suspended from a diamond-set navette shaped bale and hung from an 18ct gold and pearl snake chain.
£42,500.00
Information
Origin
France
Period
1750-1900
Gemstone
Old cut diamonds, estimated total -10cts
Setting
Gold with French assay marks
Dimensions
Length: 3cm / 1.18" (excluding the bale)
Width: 3cm / 1.18"
Bale 1.3cm / 0.51" long
Weight Description
23 grams
REF
127462
Director’s Notes
Tokens of love and sentiment feature prominently in jewellery dating back to the medieval period, but it was during the 19th century that the heart motif became highly prominent. The Victorian’s were hugely fond of heart shaped jewels, no doubt influenced by Queen Victoria’s fondness for the shape. One of her most precious and personal pieces was a charm bracelet with nine differently coloured enamel hearts on it, each representing one of her children. The heart motif remains incredibly popular and has, over the years been reimagined and interpreted by many a jewellery designer in so many styles and forms, a truly enduring and timeless jewelled symbol of which, this locket pendant is a particularly beautiful representation of. The inclusion of the four-leaf clover was obviously intended to bring the wearer luck and the engraved dates indicate it was possibly a gift for a 21st birthday. A rare jewel that embodies both love and luck combined with exceptional Victorian craftmanship.
