Antique Art Nouveau Picture Locket Pendant & Chain GF Gems Beautiful Women (7048)

Antique Art Nouveau picture locket pendant on chain. Gold filled, 14k gold and gems. Made by W.& S. Blackinton Company in Providence, Rhode Island, 1890 - 1900.

Measurements: Weight is 20.1 grams. Length of chain alone is approximately 24 1/2 inches (63cm) not counting the loops that connect it to the pendant. Diameter of pendant is 1 1/2 inches (4cm).

Description : Fabulous Art Nouveau pair of young women modelled in high relief en habille - set with their own jewelry in the form of flowery brooches and necklaces as well as jewels in their hair and in the background. Gems are mostly too small to test, but one necklace is composed of turquoise beads. Elegant portraits with swan-like necks and bare shoulders, their jewels feature more than their dresses, which are soft and silky, hinting at movement as do the swirling locks of hair. Hinged near the bottom, there is a thumb-piece at about the 11-o-clock position to help open the locket, which would contain a portrait of a loved one. The back of the locket has an engraved monogram, very intricately and flamboyantly engraved in a highly decrative and bold manner with lots of scrolls and looping of the letters. The sturdy chain ends in a 14k gold lobster clasp. W.& S. Blackinton Company was established in 1865 and they specialised in gold jewelry. (see Rainwater, American Jewelry Manufacturers).

Marks and Metal: Like many antique jewelry items, there is a confusing mixture of metals in this item. While some parts may be 14k, we are selling the whole as gold-filled. Here are the details: 

The lobster clasp of the chain is marked inside 14k as well as another mark that we cannot quite read (it looks like S0). We also tested this as 14k gold and the loops that connect the pendant also tested as 14k. The chain and the pendant did not test as 14k. The locket is market on both upper and lower insides with W. & S.B and a star, which is the maker's mark for W.& S. Blackinton Company of Providence, Rhode Island USA.

Condition: Good with negligible wear commensurate with age. We replaced a tiny sapphire (near the edge) that had fallen out. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.