Antique Oval Locket with Hairwork Under Crystal, c. 1840–1860
This finely crafted mid-19th-century oval locket exemplifies the intimate memorial jewelry traditions of the Victorian era. Executed in pinchbeck, the locket features an ornate repoussé and chased border of scrolling foliate motifs surrounding a central glazed compartment. Beneath the domed crystal lies an arrangement of woven hairwork, delicately formed into a curling, wreath-like composition—an intensely personal material used to commemorate loved ones and preserve physical memory.
The reverse is richly decorated with symmetrical floral scrollwork, deeply chased and centered by a raised cartouche, reflecting the period’s emphasis on craftsmanship even in unseen details. The locket retains its original bail and proportions, and the sculptural quality of the metalwork suggests a skilled goldsmith working within the English or Continental Victorian tradition. Hairwork jewelry of this type was often worn close to the heart, serving as a private relic of affection, mourning, or remembrance. The organic softness of the hair contrasts poignantly with the permanence of gold, encapsulating Victorian ideals of memory, devotion, and material sentiment.
Purchased at auction Stamford United Kingdom.
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