The Victorian's believed beehives were a symbol of industry and cooperation and when we came across this antique, Victorian enamel locket featuring a beehive to the front we fell in love! It's such an unusual symbol to see on a locket, more often that not they usuall feature hearts and flowers. The locket would make a fabulous piece to hold a family photo, a token of how you work together to form a family unit. We think it would make a gorgeous piece for a Mancuniun too to symbolise the Manchester worker bee. 
 
The locket is made of base metal, with a tiny panel of 9ct gold to the front and back. This was often done to keep the cost of the overall piece down and also give the locket extra strengh, rather than make it all out of solid gold which is a weaker metal. 
 
The front panel has the incredible enamel beehive detail and the back panel has such pretty floral detail too. Inside the locket are spaces for two photos or small mementos. 
 
The locket is unhallmarked which is common for a piece of this age. The locket measures approx 23mm tall (not including the fitting and jump ring at the top) by approx 19.9mm wide by aprox 7.4mm deep and weighs approx 6.3g in total.
 
Condition - The locket is in wearable antique condition but does show significant signs of age and wear, it has definitely lived quite the life. The enamel looks to have been partially repared at some point in time and isn't quite as neat as it first likely would have been. There is also some enamel loss in places too. There is some damage to the very top of the front gold panel and there is a smal hole that can be seen near the jump ring at the top. The locket still opens and closes well. It closes firmly enough to still stay closed when worn. The jump ring is made of base metal and is currently soldered closed. This is a well loved and worn antique piece. Please see photos.
 
*Please note the chain and box pictured are not included in the sale but the charm will be shipped in a new presentation box and pouch.*
 
 
 
 
 
 
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