Georgian Gold Crowned Heart Rock Crystal Garnet Locket Pendant 18th Century

Length (excluding both hanging bails): 2cm. Untested but lockets of this type and period are typically 9ct gold.

Superb, exceptionally rare 18th century miniature crowned heart pendant locket. These beautiful little love tokens typically held plaited locks of the lovers hair, and were given as gifts or commissioned as memorials. The Georgians were sentimental and loved to incorporate symbols into their adornment. The crowned heart was a popular symbol of the time and meant'You are The King/Queen Of My Heart'. Prior to the early 19th century when the shape of the heart we all recognise today came about, representations of the heart were much closer in shape to anatomical reality; with no central cleft, as here.

The body of the piece is solid rose gold, whilst the locket window is made of a domed, polished rock crystal that is faultlessly clear. The shape of the heart and its crown are picked out in alternate seed pearls and square cut foil backed almandine garnets.

Both gems were popular in the Georgian period; garnets symbolised Love in all its forms: romantic, filial, familial. Seed pearls could represent innocence, or represent tears, and the combination of the both in the same piece is indicative (though not definitive) of the mourning of a lost love. It is extremely rare to find items of this tiny size and of such an early date, still united with their original box. The box is tooled leather with a silk lining, and a bed of silk velvet.

There's a small chip to one garnet and a tiny crack to a pearl, but the stones are all original and secure in their mounts. The hinged back is a replacement and works with a swivel catch.

The locket has been professionally cleaned. Overall this extremely rare, beautiful and meaningful jewel is in excellent antique condition, and ready to wear. However it's important to note that antique jewellery is fragile and needs care. It is essential to avoid submerging pearls or foiled gemstones. PLEASE STUDY ALL PICTURES CLOSELY AS THESE REPRESENT THE BEST AND MOST OBJECTIVE DESCRIPTION FOR MORE IMAGES OR INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT ME.

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