Antique and Vintage lockets

Lockets are a popular piece of jewellery which have been worn for centuries . They are a piece of vintage jewellery associated with love and romance as they are usually worn containing a small picture of a loved one or a small keepsake. The locket has been worn for many centuries with the ones we find today date from between the Georgian era, throughout Victorian times and the 20th century. Of course its only been possible to hold  a photograph in a locket since the Victorian era – before that it was a miniature painting .

heart locket

There are several types of vintage lockets  to choose from with the locket compartment either being visible or hidden behind a door or at the back or the piece of jewellery.  What we know today as a traditional locket is worn around the neck and opens to reveal two spaces which may be open or covered with glass. Picture of photo lockets have glass panels so that the contents can be seen whilst the piece of jewellery is being worn.  Locket brooches can either have the locket compartment at the front of the brooch ( as in Georgian mourning brooches) or hidden at the back as in Victorian sweetheart brooches.

Lockets also  come in a range of shapes, many are oval, picture lockets are often circular. Heart shaped lockets are romantic and you can also find square shaped lockets. Lockets can be  as small as 1 cms long , to be worn as a charm . A large locket would be worn as a pendant around the neck.

Locket Brooch

Before the invention of photography, lockets could often contain a hand painted portrait. Other popular contents are a lock of hair, a pressed flower or a romantic poem or letter . Lockets have also been used to hold perfumes especially in times when it was believed that bad smells caused disease.

What ever sort of locket you choose there are popular occasions for giving and wearing them. The Victorians and Georgians worn lockets as mourning jewellery containing a lock of the departed’s hair. I have customers looking for antique lockets these days for the same purpose.  For Valentines day  a heart shaped locket), For Mothers Day  a locket with a picture of her children or Grandchildren. Lockets are also popular as gifts for bridesmaids, and for new mothers.

AntiquesAvenue carries a range of genuine antique and vintage lockets in a range of different shapes, sizes and materials so please do check out the shop if you are looking to buy a locket.

Photo Locket

locket selection