Antique French Provincial Pearl and Turquoise Locket, c. 1850

A charming and unusual French provincial locket set with turquoise cabochons and seed pearls. The reverse is engraved with an ornate scrollwork design; the matching bale in a cruciform shape, is set with a larger cabochon pearl and four turquoise stones. The locket opens to reveal an interior compartment, designed without glass frame, and was meant to serve as a reliquary, either sentimental or religious. French provincial jewellery has a special charm all its own. Many pieces had religious or cultural significance to mark life's major events: birth, baptism, communion, marriage and death. Pieces often show the hand of the craftsman, making each piece unique. In this case it's somewhat amusing: the miscalculation of the alternance of stones so that two pearls end up next to each other in the end (oops!).

Very good condition: the turquoise cabochons show natural inclusions and some small chips visible from the back of the setting, and appear to be original to the stones before their setting.

French eagle's head hallmark for 18k gold.

Gross weight: 7.8 grams

Dimensions: .75 inch x 1.5 inches including the bale