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A beautifully preserved Belle Époque period locket, made in France around 1910 and crafted in rich 18K yellow gold. The piece is decorated in the refined style typical of the period, with delicate machine-turned engraving and applied foliate garlands in relief, all centred around a small old-cut diamond set in a millegrain collet mount.The front face features a vertically striped guilloché ground bordered by an oval cartouche with scrolling foliate and ribbon details; a motif echoing the Louis XVI revival taste that dominated French design in the final decades of the 19th century. This precise, elegant decoration was made possible by the widespread adoption of engine-turning lathes, which enabled the creation of fine, repeatable geometric patterns on gold surfaces.The reverse is similarly engine-turned, and the interior retains both original photo compartments with old celluloid covers, one still containing a sepia photograph. These could easily be replaced with your own images if desired. The hinged locket opens and closes securely.Marked with several small French stamps, including a partially legible lozenge maker’s mark and the standard eagle’s head assay mark for 18K gold (in use from 1838 onwards).
Weight: 3.98g
Dimensions: 23mm diameter (excluding bail)
Condition: Very good antique condition; photos show some discolouration and residue from old photos on the inside (which has since been cleaned and fully removed). The hinge and clasp function securely.
An elegant and wearable example of early 20th-century French craftsmanship.
Weight: 3.98g
Dimensions: 23mm diameter (excluding bail)
Condition: Very good antique condition; photos show some discolouration and residue from old photos on the inside (which has since been cleaned and fully removed). The hinge and clasp function securely.
An elegant and wearable example of early 20th-century French craftsmanship.
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