Love & Affection - Vintage Sterling Silver Celtic Love Knot & Ivy Engraved Locket & Chain (VP136)

Love & Affection  - Vintage Sterling Silver Celtic Knot & Ivy Engraved Locket. This wonderful locket is crafted from 925 sterling silver, hallmarked 925, and CME makers mark. The chain is also crafted from sterling silver hallmarked 925. Featuring exquisite detail, Victorian Revival styling and quality silver-work.   The work on this locket is absolutely beautiful. The central front portion of the locket showcases deep chased Ivy Leaves, surrounded by a Celtic love-knot border. The back of the is smooth and polished. There was much symbolism contained within lockets of the Victorian era, this Vintage locket has imitated this meaningful symbolism. An ivy Leaf pattern symbolizes Fidelity, faithfulness, undying affection and marriage. Whilst the Celtic knot is said to symbolize the love between two people. Celts are said to have exchanged these knots in the same way that many couples do nowadays. These elegantly arranged knots were first invented by the early Scottish, Welsh, and Irish Celts around 2500 BCE, and they were said to represent eternal life.  The inside of the locket is in fine condition, and opens and closes perfectly.  The bale is simple and solid, strong enough for suspending the large locket. The locket has been matched up to a sterling silver chain, which looks perfect with the pendant. This Vintage locket would make a perfect sentimental addition to any jewelry collection. 

History: Silver's history is long. The first evidence of silver mining dates back to 3000 B.C., in Turkey and Greece, according to the RSC. Ancient people even figured out how to refine silver. They heated the silver ore and blew air over it, a process called cupellation.

Lockets evolved from ancient amulets. European designs for lockets appear to date to the 16th century, when small pendants were worn to conceal good luck charms, small fabric squares soaked in perfume to ward off the poor smells on public thoroughfares, painted portraits, and even, on occasion, poison.

Measurements: Locket (including bale) 54.00 mm x 35.00    Chain 24" 

Weight: 21.40 grams 

Condition: Excellent     

Origin: United Kingdom  

Date: 1970s