DATE: Victorian, c.1870

Stunning antique locket dating from the mid Victorian period, circa 1870. The front features a breathtaking pastoral scene, with goldfinch and dragonfly swooping through the air above bluebells and wild (dog) roses - all intricately rendered in fine enamel. Victorian jewellery often includes floral motifs, as part of their "Language of Flowers", whereby each flower or plant represented some romantic or emotional sentiment... in this case, the bluebells for humility, and the pink dog rose for grace and joy. Further to the floral symbolism (and testament to just how much the Victorians loved attaching symbolic meaning to things) the dragonfly represents change and transformations in life and new beginnings, specifically embracing change without fear, and the goldfinch for joy, enthusiasm, positivity, and persistence. So the distilled sentiments this locket represents, in rough order of emphasis: joy in new beginnings, enthusiastically accepted with grace and humility. 

MEASUREMENTS 

5.0 x 3.9 x 0.7cm (not including jump ring)

WEIGHT 

22.6g

MARKS 

No marks present, tests as sterling silver 

CONDITION 

Very good, with light antique patina