Antique Victorian Vulcanite Mourning Locket Cross Bottony Fleury Decoration c1875-1885 - C3078

Summary

A late Victorian vulcanite mourning locket dating to around 1875 to 1885, decorated with an applied cross bottony / fleury type design on the front. The finely patterned interior retains both brass retaining rings and one slightly domed glazed panel, likely original.

Description

An antique Victorian mourning locket made from vulcanite and dating to around 1875 to 1885.

The oval locket has a gently domed body with a raised decorative panel to the front. The central design is a stylised Christian cross, combining features associated with the cross bottony and cross fleury, surrounded by scrolling foliate ornament.

Cross forms were particularly appropriate to Victorian mourning jewellery, where Christian imagery expressed faith, remembrance and the hope of resurrection. Trefoil ended crosses carried Trinitarian associations as well, making the design well suited to jewellery connected with bereavement. Victorian jewellery of the period used bottony cross forms in both decorative and sentimental contexts.

The black colour and religious symbolism fit the conventions of deeper or first period mourning, when jewellery was expected to be comparatively sober in colour and decoration.

The interior is particularly attractive and considerably more decorative than most lockets of the period, the engraving rendered with fine detail throughout. Both brass retaining rings remain in place, and one side retains its slightly domed glass cover, consistent with the original construction. The interior would have held photographs, hairwork or other personal keepsakes.

The locket is fitted with a brass pin hinge and a vulcanite suspension loop with a brass connecting ring.

The front surface is beginning to develop the olive brown tone often seen on antique vulcanite after prolonged exposure to light. This colour change is characteristic of the material: vulcanite gradually shifts from deep black towards brown, bronze or olive tones as it ages and is exposed to light, rather than being any form of later applied colouring.

Condition

Good antique condition for the material and period, with minor age related surface wear. Both internal retaining rings remain and one compartment retains its slightly domed glass cover. There is some movement between the two halves from age, so the locket does not currently latch securely closed. The brass hinge pin remains in place and operates correctly. The exterior shows the beginning of the olive brown colour change associated with light exposed vulcanite.

Approximate Measurements

• Height: 4.7cm [1.85in] (excluding suspension loop)
• Width: 4cm [1.57in]
• Weight: 16.4g [0.58oz]
• Material: Vulcanite with brass fittings
• Interior: Two retaining rings, one compartment with glazed cover
• Decoration: Cross bottony / fleury type with scrolling foliate surround
• Date: Circa 1875 to 1885

C3078 AG26-5

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