Superb Antique French Kiln-fired Enamel Mourning Locket, 18k Gold Bale, Sterling Silver Vermeil

Prettiest locket ever! A mid-1800s (Napoleon III or Victorian era) mourning locket, thick sky blue kiln-fired enamel on the body’s exterior. The look of gold, but the locket tests as sterling silver with an 18k layer (vermeil). The bale does test 18k (note one spot on bale is soldered (an ‘x’ for review).

Very good to excellent condition for age and type, it is nearing 170 years of age, and still retains the locket cover glass and insert to the right side. Uncertain it the left side once had same or might have had a pad of silk – but at this point in time it can still be used as your own locket. The enamel on this item has a couple of minuscule surface abrasions you won’t see at all in the hand, though you can make out a little in our greatly enlarged photos. There are no chips nor cracks or hairlines in the old enamel, which is quite rare, indeed. Beautifully crafted, certainly has appearance of karat gold but as you can see from interior, it is French silver with 18k gold vermeil surfaces showing. NOTE: The 14k heavy gold chain shown is not included.