A Napoleon III era photo locket with quiet, refined charm. This antique rose gold plated pendant opens to reveal a small photo compartment protected by its original glass, while the front is set with an oval hand-painted porcelain plaque depicting a delicate bouquet of pink roses, a yellow flower, and blue forget-me-nots on a black ground. The chased scrollwork border and raised floral rosettes speak to the full elegance of the Victorian style.
Type: Photo locket pendant
Period: Napoleon III era, circa 1880
Material: Rose gold plated metal, center plaque in hand-painted porcelain / painted enamel
Dimensions: Total height 55 mm (2.17 in) x Width 24.7 mm (0.97 in) x Depth 10.6 mm (0.42 in) — Interior photo compartment: 22 x 16 mm (0.87 x 0.63 in)
Please note: measurements are taken by hand and may vary slightly (+/- 1-2 mm).
Origin: France
Condition: Good condition, normal wear consistent with age
The chased scroll and shell-motif border frames the center plaque with real elegance, each petal and leaf of the bouquet hand-painted with precision. The hinged clasp opens smoothly and reveals the original glass, a rare detail that speaks to the piece's authenticity and the care with which it has been preserved.
This locket wears beautifully as a pendant on a fine chain, alone or layered with other antique pieces, and sits just as well in a collector's display case. It will appeal to lovers of Victorian jewelry, collectors of antique lockets, and anyone seeking a gift rich in history. Its state of preservation, original glass, and finely painted decoration make it an authentic piece, full of character, built to last through many more years.
This Napoleon III rose gold plated locket, with its hand-painted porcelain plaque and preserved original glass, embodies the quiet elegance of 19th-century photo lockets — an ideal collector's piece for any antique jewelry lover.
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