Elegant Little Antique French 18k Gold Double Locket Mourning Brooch, Napoleon III Era

Beautiful little 2-sided locket, 18k gold (6.7 grams gross) mourning brooch, locket. c.1860 French made (tiny French poincon (punch) mark, the profile of an eagle’s head (c.1838 on).  1” x 7/8”, 2 glass in place. Likely the original hair art set to front, but it really is disturbed and ought to be removed. Photo set into backside, as you see. So often people come to me to ask if the old hair or painting or photo can be removed and replaced with their memento, and usually I tell them it will decrease the value. This one, however, is perfect for you to do that since hair isn’t perfectly preserved.  Easy to remove and add your own with this one. Hinged back cover glass opens like a little door, and you fill both front and back from there – simple. 

Very good to excellent condition, brooch and beveled original cover glass front and back. The hair work isn’t good in this one, so perfect to remove and replace with a memento of meaning to you. It’s a little brooch, about 1″ x 7/8″ oval, and 1/4″ thick. Could certainly be closed over a gold chain and worn as a necklace pendant with a horizontal aperture, too.  Very pretty!  Napoleon III era (c.1850-70, photo suggests the latter. Box is shown only as a prop for photos – this one does not have a box, will not come in an antique box.