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Antique Victorian Bird Swallow Locket with Pearls & Ruby in Onyx & Antique Chain

About the Item

Offered is a very charming Victorian period onyx locket, featuring a pearl set gold Bird (a Swallow) with a foliate design. The locket retains its original enameled and pearl-set bail, as well as the frame and glazing to the locket back. This would have been either a sentimental or mourning piece. (I have priced the piece to include the optional antique gold chain, please read below, but it is also available without a chain if you prefer) Quite sizable, the oval shaped locket measures approximately 2 1/16 x 1 3/8 inches, including the bail; it weighs 18.66 grams on my scale. (not including the optional gold chain) In 14K gold with some nice patina, the Swallow, set with varying sizes of seed pearls & a lovely cushion cut Ruby/pink sapphire eye, is flying over a textured flowing vine with pearl-set flowers and gold leaves. Both are in very good antique condition. I see one pearl that was replaced on the underside of the Bird's neck, and a few that show some wear or damage under magnification. (one looks to have had the top of the pearl sheared off and could be replaced) The gemstone eye is original and has a very pretty pink color and old chunky cut. Under magnification, I see only a few tiny nibbles. The onyx has a beautiful glossy surface, with only slight wear and a few faint striations visible at some angles, in some lighting. There is one very small chip at the edge of a flower blossom that is not easy to see, and a few spots of wear at the edge of the gold frame on the reverse. I love the large bail that will accommodate many different styles and sizes of chains, and that it has the original black enamel and graduated pearls. The enamel shows a little expected wear under magnification, but is still in good condition, as well. Glossy brown hair is set beneath the glazing and frame of the back. It could certainly be removed so a photo or memento could be added, but I know some people prefer the original hair, so I have left it as is. The optional gold chain is also Victorian, testing around 15K gold (with the clasp and end loop testing a little lower) and matching the locket very well. It's a substantial cable style chain, measuring approximately 18.5 inches long and weighing 10.48 grams on my scale. If you would like the locket on its own, please message me and I can adjust the price down by $475. I also have a Victorian onyx and diamond locket available, should you be interested.
  • Metal:
  • Stone:
  • Stone Cut:
  • Weight:
    18.66 g
  • Dimensions:
    Width: 1.38 in (35.06 mm)Length: 2.07 in (52.58 mm)
  • Style:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1860 - 1880
  • Condition:
    Replacements made: In overall very good antique condition - under magnification I see at least one pearl that was definitely replaced, though I suspect a few have been over the years. Wear consistent with age and use. While still in nice condition for its age, there are a few expected nibbles and small imperfections, and nice old patina to the gold.
  • Seller Location:
    Danvers, MA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU3614222788402
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