19th century mourning jewellery - pendants and lockets

In Victorian England there were strict protocols for mourning the death of a family member, relative or (in the case of servants) an employer of employer's family member. They were particularly observed by the upper classes, but followed by other classes where the apparel and accoutrements could be afforded.

Mourning protocols were mainly applied to women, who were expected to wear heavy, concealing, black clothing, together with a black crepe veil, and a cap or bonnet.

Mourning jewellery completed the ensemble.

For a widow, there were three stages of mourning, covering a period of two years or more. The more...

A locket is an item of jewellery, usually a pendant worn on a chain around the neck, that is hinged and opens to reveal a space, sometimes called a "keepsake compartment", used for storing a a personal memento, such as a miniature, a photograph or strands of hair.

Other styles of lockets are worn as a brooch or bracelet.

They have been around in various forms since the 15th century, but reached the peak of their popularity in the 19th century, when sentimentality was part of the national psyche.

They are most commonly made of gold or silver, often decorated more...

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14ct gold onyx and seed pearl mourning locket, circa 1890, the…

Victorian Onyx and Pearl Mourning Locket

14ct gold onyx and seed pearl mourning locket, circa 1890, the hinged oval onyx locket, detailed with a gold inlay and seed pearl bouquet, opening to two glazed compartments, measuring 50 mm x 30 mm, 19.5 grams

Harvey Smith antique 9ct rose gold photo pendant adorned with…

Harvey Smith antique 9ct rose gold photo pendant adorned with waratah motif, 19th century, stamped 'Harvey Smith, 9ct', 5.8 cm high overall, 28.4 grams total

A Georgian Acrostic adore locket, yellow gold, Georgian,…

Georgian Gemstone Purse Locket Pendant

A Georgian Acrostic adore locket, yellow gold, Georgian, presented as a stylised purse shape locket pendant detailed to front panel with five gemstones set, amethyst, diamond, opal ruby and emerald, each bead set, framed by decorative work, hinged to…

Victorian onyx and single diamond photo locket plain oval form…

Victorian Onyx Diamond Photo Locket

Victorian onyx and single diamond photo locket plain oval form with scroll set old rose cut diamond

'Regard' Victorian 15ct locket, stunning heart shaped 'Regard'…

Victorian 'Regard' Heart Locket Pendant

'Regard' Victorian 15ct locket, stunning heart shaped 'Regard' mourning drop pendant hinged locket with embossed reverse

Victorian gilt on 18ct pink gold mourning locket. Containing…

Victorian Mourning Locket with Sir James Martin Provenance

Victorian gilt on 18ct pink gold mourning locket. Containing miniature portrait of Eleanor Martin, daughter of Sir James and lady Martin. Star enamel and inscription to front 'Dear Eleanor died 4th Feb. Y.1880 Do. Not. Forget. Her.' monogrammed 'MM' verso…

Gold and diamond photo locket, circa 1880; the 15ct gold hinged…

1880 Gold and Diamond Photo Locket with Buckle Motif

Gold and diamond photo locket, circa 1880; the 15ct gold hinged oval locket centring an applied buckle motif accented with rose-cut diamonds, comprising two glazed photo compartments framed in 9ct gold to the interior, completed with an 18ct gold bail,…

An antique mourning pendant, the glazed hair locket with a…

Antique Diamond and Pearl Mourning Pendant

An antique mourning pendant, the glazed hair locket with a diamond set 'D', within a pearl surround, mounted in gold.

A Georgian gold and gem set mourning locket, circular form.…

Georgian Gold Mourning Locket with Gemstones and Watercolour Portrait

A Georgian gold and gem set mourning locket, circular form. Cannetille gold work back and front. The front panel set with a floral motif, small central turquoise surrounded by six pear shaped amethysts. The back with a central small sapphire and six small…

A large an impressive Victorian gold mourning locket, the front…

Victorian Gold Mourning Locket with Baronet's Initials

A large an impressive Victorian gold mourning locket, the front decorated with a baronet's coronet set with four pearls above a large initial H, the interior set with a photo of Sir John Hanmer Baronet, to one side with woven hair to the other, unmarked…

An antique gold locket, of circular form. Engine turned…

Victorian Hand-Painted Miniature Locket

An antique gold locket, of circular form. Engine turned decoration to central panel front and back, with bold carved scroll borders. Scroll engraved top ring. Double photo compartment containing two hand-painted miniature. 15 carat yellow gold, circa 1870.

A beautiful diamond set antique gold locket. Victorian, 15ct…

Victorian Diamond Floral Locket in 15ct Yellow Gold

A beautiful diamond set antique gold locket. Victorian, 15ct yellow gold, crafted as a large oval shaped locket measuring 47 x 37 mm without bail of smooth plain polished gold, overlaid to front panel with an ornate and intricately arranged floral spray…

Russian 14ct gold, enamel and gem set locket, stamped 56…

Russian Enamel and Gem Locket with Gold Border

Russian 14ct gold, enamel and gem set locket, stamped 56 Zolotnik, maker Aw, of organic shaped form with gold c-scroll border and guilloche enamel cover, featuring a gem set foliate design to center with bezel set sapphire, ruby and emerald and small…

Australian Colonial locket, 18th yellow gold inscribed…

Wilcannia Boating Club Locket with Portrait and Hair Lock

Australian Colonial locket, 18th yellow gold inscribed 'Wilcannia Boating Club, 28th August 1884, Scratch Fours Opening Regatta, Club Trophy Presented To J.T. Williamson, Stroke'. Interior of locket with photo portrait and lock of hair. 4 cm high, 16…

18ct gold, diamond and sapphire pendant locket necklace,…

Diamond and Sapphire Pendant Locket Necklace with Initial Engraving

18ct gold, diamond and sapphire pendant locket necklace, terminating on an oval hinged locket measuring approximately 65 x 35 mm opening to reveal a mirror and photograph well, the obverse engraved with an initial partially decorated with old-cut diamonds…

A late 19th century impressive boxed 18ct. gilded yellow gold…

Gilded Enamel and Pearl Pendant in Original Box

A late 19th century impressive boxed 18ct. gilded yellow gold enamelled panel and seed pearl pendant, the rounded rectangular plain panel applied with an oval hand painted enamel plaque of women and cherubs at a waterfall framed by an encircling band of…

18ct gold necklace and enamel and diamond-set miniature locket,…

Enamel and Diamond Locket Necklace

18ct gold necklace and enamel and diamond-set miniature locket, terminating on a rectangular hinged locket measuring approximately 25 x 20 mm opening to reveal a triple photograph well, the obverse applied with an enamelled portrait of a woman facing…

A 19th century gold and micro mosaic pendant/photo locket, the…

Micro Mosaic Gold Pendant with Photo Locket

A 19th century gold and micro mosaic pendant/photo locket, the front decorated with a micro mosaic floral design, the back with glass for photo. (testing as 22ct).