Description
This necklace features an antique 25 mm round gold-filled locket with a repousse design of a woman reclining on a crescent moon. On the inside of the locket is the maker's mark "W&H CO" inside of an etched heart; this is the hallmark of the Wightman & Hough Co., which was established in 1856 and operated in Providence, Rhode Island. The design suggests that this locket dates to the Art Nouveau era (early 1900s).
There is an elaborately etched cursive monogram on the back of the locket, where there are also two slight dimples in the metal. Two compartments with rings and celluloid covers are in tact on the inside. The locket opens with ease and closes securely.
The locket is dangles from an antique gold-filled pocket watch clip attached to a string of old red and gold-tinted cut steel beads, which were produced in France during the late nineteenth century.
Details
Materials
- gold-filled locket
- cut steel seed beads
- gold-filled bar clasp
Origin Story
The producer of this locket, the Wightman & Hough Co., was known for their "sweetheart jewelry" and one of their advertising tag lines was "There's a heart in every locket!"
Lockets gained popularity during the Victorian era after Queen Victoria wore a mourning locket with a photo inside of her beloved husband Albert every day, setting a fashion trend. Prior to his passing, her husband had gifted her with a charm bracelet with eight lockets, each containing a lock of hair from each of their children.
Celestial images were very popular Victorian jewelry motifs. A crescent moon was said to glorify the Feminine Moon Goddess while the stars guided and directed one spiritually. The moon also symbolized the cycles of nature.
