Antique Victorian Silver Collar and Locket Set, Birmingham 1876

My love for lockets stems from the idea that they become yours. They hold your photographs, they keep your secrets, they know your meaning. Their beauty and history are just a plus. During my time in Europe shopping for beautiful things I learned lockets appeared in the continent sometime during the 16th century. They were worn to hide good luck charms, perfume, or tiny love letters. Ladies of the court liked to fill theirs with smelling salts, as the ballroom heat could cause quite a bit of fainting. As time went on, the popularity of lockets spread to the middle class where they were given as gifts within a gift, with a painted portrait of a lover’s eye, a small note, or a private token, tucked clandestinely inside.

This antique silver collar and locket set was handcrafted around 1876. It’s a Victorian set made in Birmingham, England. It bears an embossed placket motif. Inside the locket is a portrait of a beautiful young lady sporting a brooch. The oval locket measures 59.5 x 33.5 mm and the chain it hangs from measures 18.5 inches in length. This set weighs 34 grams. It has been fully hallmarked and bears the lion mark for English sterling silver, the date letter mark, “b”, the anchor mark for Birmingham, and a maker’s mark which reads, “E.R”. The chain is also marked, as it contains the silver fineness mark, “925” and the maker’s mark, “CBL”. This wonderful set could be worn together or separately, the chain can be worn with any sort of beautiful bauble, the locket would look equal stunning as a chocker on a simple black cord.

The best piece of advice I can give to an antique jewelry wearer is let it become yours. Don’t let it wear you, wear it. Dress it however you desire. A piece like this can be fancy or casual, date-night ready or lounging night-in.

I offer a 3 or 4 payment layaway on most items purchased for full retail price, please inquire if you are interested in setting up a layaway. Items ship when payment is complete and items purchased or payments made on layaway are eligible for store credit only.

I always want you to be happy with every aspect of your purchase. If you are not completely satisfied for any reason simply let me know and we'll work together to get the item returned for a full refund. I guarantee that my pictures and descriptions are as accurate as possible. My goal is to exceed your best expectations!