Please note, boxes and chains are for display only unless otherwise stated.

This enchanting Victorian photo locket is a deeply personal and beautifully preserved piece of 19th‑century jewellery, rich in sentiment and presence. 

Crafted in warm 9 carat rose gold and dating to the late 1880s–1890s, it is a substantial and impressive example, instantly captivating in both scale and detail.

Showcasing a remarkably delicate hand‑painted portrait of a young child, rendered on what appears to be vellum or possibly ivory. 
The portrait is permanently set and (we believe) cannot be removed, a detail that is important for the next custodian to appreciate. 

The child’s finely painted features are especially charming, with soft blonde curls, expressive blue eyes, and a beautifully detailed dress, capturing a tenderness and intimacy so characteristic of the Victorian era.

The locket itself is generously sized, measuring approximately 4.3 cm in diameter, and with its original pearl‑set bale reaches a striking 5.5 cm drop. 
Surrounding the portrait is a halo of 33 natural half‑split pearls, each softly luminous and perfectly suited to the warm rose gold. A further three pearls adorn the bale, which can be removed if desired, allowing the piece to be worn either as a pendant or as a brooch.

To the reverse, the original hinge and C‑clasp remain intact, and the locket opens to reveal a compartment that could hold an additional portrait. Inside is a beautifully arranged wreath of hair, believed to belong to the child depicted. While such pieces are often described as memorial lockets, they were equally cherished as keepsakes of living loved ones, much as photographs and locks of hair are treasured today.

Large, evocative, and wonderfully intact, this is a piece for the discerning collector who appreciates both fine antique jewellery and the human stories woven into it. It is a rare and moving survivor from the Victorian period, offering history, artistry, and emotional depth in equal measure.

STONES
35 x Natural half split Pearls 

MEASUREMENTS
Drop from bale - 5.5cm x 4.3cm

WEIGHT
14.7 Grams

MARKS
None
Tested as 9ct rose gold

ERA
Victorian 1837-1901

CONDITION
Very good to excellent antique condition.  The half Pearls appear to all be original with no obvious resettings.  Pearls show typical vari-hued creamy colours of the era, imperfections seen under x 10 loupe also typical of natural Pearls, noting for accuracy only. The portrait is stunning, hand painted and exquisite. 
The locked backed compartment opens and closes perfectly. Original hair wreath inside (can be removed if desired).

No repairs. Original Pearl set bale, can be removed if desired. Original pin (silver), and hinge, also no repairs, fastens securely.