This elegant Victorian-era rectangular locket, crafted in 9K gold, features a beautifully engraved bird perched among flowering stems—a motif long associated with love, fidelity, and the soul’s enduring presence. The engraving is delicately executed, with soft textural contrast that catches the light while preserving the intimacy of hand workmanship. Bird imagery in Victorian jewelry frequently symbolized constancy, or a bond transcending physical separation. Lockets of this form served as intimate vessels for remembrance, housing photographs, hairwork, or written tokens of affection.
The restrained geometric outline contrasts with the naturalistic engraving, reflecting late-Victorian design sensibilities that balanced sentiment with refinement. Such pieces were not decorative alone but deeply personal objects, worn close to the body and imbued with private meaning.
The locket opens to reveal two original interior compartments, lined in period textile. Its restrained geometry and symbolic engraving reflect the Victorian reverence for memory, nature, and personal devotion. Finished with its original hinged construction and a substantial gold bail, this locket wears effortlessly on a chain while remaining deeply personal—an object of sentiment rather than ornament alone.
A timeless piece, equally suited for daily wear or layered as part of a bracelet or necklace composition.
Purchased at auction West Sussex, United Kingdom
Image 1 of 3
Image 2 of 3
Image 3 of 3
