231

Victorian

Love Necklace, ca. 1840 - 1850

15-18 karat gold, emerald, diamond, ruby necklace featuring concealed memento

overall weight: 24.10 grams
13 emeralds ranging in size from 2.5 x 2.1 mm to 1.5 x 1 mm
20 diamonds ranging in size from 1.7 x 1.5 mm to 1 x 1 mm
2 rubies approximately 1.7 x 1.7 mm

While gifting jewelry is a time-honored custom, its heyday was during the Victorian Era (1837 - 1901) in British history, which coincided not only with the Romantic movement (1837 - 1860) in literature and the arts, bu also with Queen Victoria's happy marriage to Prince Albert. At that time, hair was reminder of love and friendship and could last a long time if well preserved. Between 1837 - 1901, hair within jewelry and hair work art was extremely popular. Victoria and Albert set the fashion world on its head by exchanging locks of hair in 1839. Victoria blushingly declared that she wore Albert's in a locket at her neck, "night and day". The Victorians also associated the snake motif with eternal love, and Queen Victoria put snake jewelry under the fashion spotlight when Prince Albert bought her a snake engagement ring, with an emerald (her birthstone) embedded into it, accenting the creature's head. Lot 231 is a striking example from this period and bears a tiny lock of hair under glass on the back of the locket. It was recently presented to the Antiques Road Show and will appear in an episode due to air in the Spring of 2023.

(Gere, Charlotte, and Rudoe, Judy. Jewellery in the Age of Queen Victoria: A Mirror to the World. British Museum, 2010.)
hanging length: 8 1/2 in. (21.59 cm.), pendant: 1 1/2 x 3/4 in. (2.54 x 1.91 cm.)

  • Provenance: Private Collection, HI
  • Condition: The condition reports for the lots offered by Santa Fe Art Auction (SFAA) are provided as a courtesy and convenience for potential buyers. The reports are not intended to nor do they substitute for physical examination by a buyer or the buyer's advisors. The condition reports are prepared by SFAA staff members who are not art conservators or restorers, nor do they possess the qualifications needed for comprehensive evaluation. Each condition report is an opinion of the staff member and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report does not imply anything as to the condition of a particular lot. Buyers are reminded that the limited warranties are set forth in the Terms and Conditions of Sale and do not extend to condition. Each lot is sold as-is.

Shipping Options

Invaluable Shipping

  • Expert Care packing and Shipping
  • Shipment Protection
  • Real-time tracking

Arrange your own

  • You will coordinate with us to arrange your own shipping

Local pickup

  • You will coordinate with us and arrange pick up time after payment.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, COD (cash on delivery), MasterCard, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

November 5, 2022 10:00 AM MDT
Santa Fe, NM, US

Santa Fe Art Auction

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$1 - $1,000,000:
22.00%
$1,000,001+:
12.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000