Gold and garnet engraved secret photo locket “Myosotis”

Description

Sublime 19th century 18-carat gold photo locket featuring a recessed border in shimmering gold, a frosted background decorated with a pointed motif and centered with a bezel-set garnet intaglio haloed with 4 fine pearls and a gold rope motif. The garnet intaglio represents a flower, probably a forget-me-not, a symbol of fidelity and eternal love associated with this type of jewelry. A small glass allow to hold a photgraphy. An exquisite piece with remarkable workmanship.
Length: 3.6cm with bail, 3cm without.
Width: 2.1cm
Thickness: 0.7cm
Weight: 5.51g
Eagle hallmark
This unique piece had a previous life in France.

The story: photo lockets belong to the family of sentimental jewelry, dedicated to celebrating a loved one. Known in the United Kingdom as “Forget me not” and popularized by Queen Victoria, they contain a compartment to hold the photo of the loved one. The forget-me-not or pansy, called “Forget-me-not” in English, is associated with this jewel, in the form of an engraving as here or by inserting a dried flower inside the locket.