Grape clusters antique locket necklace

Victorian Clusters of Grapes Locket Necklace.

This 1880's era locket features a rare motif: two clusters of grapes whose leaves are delicately and beautifully hand engraved into the surface of the gold. The grapes themselves are set with sparkling paste crystal stones. Wild grapes, according to a small volume written and published in 1913 called 'The Language of Flowers', symbolize Charity, a favorite Victorian theme and one which is also represented by hearts.

Among the most special of lockets are the lockets which are engraved or set with stones in abstract or iconographic patterns popular in the 19th and early 20th century, among them images of love, luck and sentimentality.  While the language of Victorian symbols and flowers has changed, the jewelry which features them is ever lovely, ever captivating and ever collected here and now. 

MATERIALS: Gold-fill 10k, paste crystal.

HALLMARKS: J.M.F. & Co. (located in Attleboro, Mass. 1879-1949)

CHAIN DETAILS: This locket pendant ships on an 18" long necklace made from new 14k gold-filled 1mm flat-filed cable chain.

CHARM DIMENSIONS: 1.25" Diameter (22mm) x 1/4" Depth (6mm). The bail adds another 1/4" to the height of the locket.

CONDITION: The front and back surfaces of this locket are in excellent condition; the clasp shuts well. The pastes of the grapes are intact although they are not as bright as they once were having darkened some with age. Both of the two photo frames and celluloid photo protectors are intact inside and currently contain photos of children (which can both be removed).  The bail is original to the locket and shows wear to the gold, revealing the 'fill' layer below.