Antique Victorian French

RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut

RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut
RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut
RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut
RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut
RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut
RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut
RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut
RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut
RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut
RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut
RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut
RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut

RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut

Another French Art Nouveau piece from my own Collection. This one is a stunning classic late 19th century genuine antique Continental 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau design Locket, or Pendant.

It looks stunning suspended from an antique chain! It is beautifully decorated with Art Nouveau scrolls and a horse chestnut design - the same on both sides. I found this one years ago on a trip to Europe - it may originally have been part of a genteel lady's Chatelaine. I've collected these lockets for many years but this is the only one I've ever had with this design!

The quality of the French botanically accurate designs is amazing! RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut.

RARE Quality Antique French Locket Art Nouveau Chestnut Design Silver Hallmarked Continental 800-900 Pendant VGC. The horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is a European species of flowering plant in the soapberry and lychee family. It is a large deciduous tree, with spiky seed pods called'conkers' (also shown on the locket design). It is also called horse-chestnut, European horse-chestnut and conker tree.

It is sometimes called Spanish chestnut. For a time in the Victorian era, it would be a tradition for families to go to the parks and luxuriate among the horse chestnuts on the Sunday before Ascension Day.

And yes,'luxuriate' is the right word here. No tree has bigger leaves, bulkier, sweeter-smelling blooms, or a prouder stance than the horse chestnut. Its a tree that decorates beautifully while being, like many other luxurious items, for no particular use! The design detail on this example is particularly crisp check all the photos! And it is very well made - wonderful quality and still in excellent antique order.

They are hard to find these days, especially as good as this example! Covid has made French items much harder to source!

Marks : The locket is stamped with a French punch hallmark on the top of the bail, indicating a silver grade of approx. 800-900 parts silver (slightly less than Sterling), which was customary for this era in Europe. It is also stamped'Depose' - a French mark for patented or registered. It most likely dates to the latter part of the 19th century, or early 20th century.

Dimensions : This locket has a total hanging length of 2.75 inches (7 cm) including the ring bail, and is 1.5 inches (4 cm) at its widest. Condition : It is in excellent external antique condition, and is a very well made item. There are no dents or holes to the silver, only a few tiny baby teething marks (see photos). It opens easily, sliding back and forth easily, shuts snugly and perfectly, staying shut. Internally, it originally held mirrors on both sides.

One is still secure and has some foxing damage. The second mirror is broken and is, in fact, presently loose. I would remove and discard, and replace with a photo or memento. I have left it in place for authenticity. It is a very fine and beautiful'statement piece' in remarkably good condition, given its age.

Ready to wear and be treasured. Or perhaps a wonderful present! All items are carefully packed in boxes. Available on request, but it is very expensive.

Please contact me within 30 days of receiving your item, to arrange an immediate return. My lifelong passion has been collecting a wide range of antique and vintage jewellery, particularly Victorian and Edwardian jewellery. I have been lucky enough to travel extensively, and have always been on the hunt at antique auctions, fairs and flea-markets! I always reply promptly but please don't forget our international time zone differences!

Auctiva offers Free Image Hosting and Editing. The item "RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut" is in sale since Monday, June 14, 2021. This item is in the category "Jewellery & Watches\Vintage, Antique Jewellery".

The seller is "merryjewels" and is located in Tasmania. This item can be shipped to Australia, all countries in Europe, United States, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand.

  • Authenticity: Genuine
  • Metal: Continental Silver
  • Jewellery Type: Locket
  • Era: Victorian
  • Origin: France
  • Main Stone: No Stone
  • Metal Purity: 800-900 Silver
  • Theme: Art Nouveau Horse Chestnut Design


RARE Antique French Locket 800-900 Silver Art Nouveau Mirror Chatelaine Chestnut