Instant Ancestor : Edwardian Era Heart Photo Pendant in 9ct Yellow Gold

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An absolutely charming antique fob pendant in the shape of a heart, with a domed tintype photograph of a handsome gentleman at the centre. This is most certainly a sentimental gift from a sweetheart – our moustachioed gent would have had this photo and fob made up as a gift for his lover to wear on her watch chain. I presume he hoped that she would be proud to wear his likeness for all to see!

My background is in antiquarian photographic processes, so this little fob made me tingle to my toes just as a rare and exquisite jewel would. I have a collection of tintype photographs, and I have made many of my own in the messy old way. Tintypes of this size were referred to as “gems” and were often put into lockets and sentimental jewellery – but this is the very first tintype I have seen treated as a gem, not hiding inside a locket but the centrepiece of a special jewel. The photograph is made on a metal backing that has been domed and coated with a clear lacquer to prevent the image from scratching.

I do hope that whomever adopts this wonderful little slice of romantic history dreams up a wild story to weave about this dapper gent to tell to those who ask. Is he perhaps your great grandfather Emile, who fell in love with your great grandmother Margaret when she was much too young to marry, and promised to wait for her – her parents would not permit him to visit until the year was done so they could only correspond in long poetic letters…

Manufacture:
The solid 9ct gold heart is covered with engraved patterns on the front, and decorated at the edges with swirls of gold, and gem-set flares. The two green stones are garnet topped doublets masquerading as emeralds, and the seed pearl are shell based pearls – a very early form of imitation pearl made with ground mother of pearl shell.

The locket is hallmarked to the reverse with hallmarks that closely resemble those of early Australian jewellers. The first mark, or first half of the makers mark is very faint and unfortunately unreadable, followed by the makers mark – an R – and then 9ct. The piece has been XRF tested to verify the metal content of the pendant is 9ct gold throughout.

The pendant measures 28.7mm (not including the bail) x 25.5mm x 3.25mm. It weighs 2.8 grams.

The photograph can not be replaced.

Condition:
In lovely antique condition with no faults to note. Ready for immediate and everyday wear.

Description

An absolutely charming antique fob pendant in the shape of a heart, with a domed tintype photograph of a handsome gentleman at the centre. This is most certainly a sentimental gift from a sweetheart – our moustachioed gent would have had this photo and fob made up as a gift for his lover to wear on her watch chain.

The pendant measures 28.7mm (not including the bail) x 25.5mm x 3.25mm. It weighs 2.8 grams.

The photograph can not be replaced.