Georgian Miniature Heart & Bow Locket

A late 18th century heart & bow mourning locket featuring a hand-painted sepia and macerated hair miniature of a funeral urn framed by bare branches. The halo frame of meticulously set hand-cut garnets around the compartment, and the marcastites dotting the bow, give the piece beautiful depth and a touch of sparkling color.

It's a rare example of Georgian memorial jewelry in exquisite condition. The symbolism of a crowned heart (in this case a bow) refers to loyalty and eternal devotion.

Sepia paintings such as this were popular as memorial pieces; the paint was made of dissolved or macerated hair. The urn has been associated with cremation, as a receptacle for the body's ashes, since Ancient times, and its extension as a symbolic reference to the deceased in memorial pieces is a natural evolution.

Details: Approximately 1 1/8" north to south including the bail, and 5/8" east to west across the compartment. The locket is not meant to open, the compartment is sealed. The miniature is on a natural material, likely ivory. XFR tests to 14k gold and sterling silver.

Condition: In excellent conditon with a rich patina and a few subtle marks on the back.