Antique Georgian locket brooch gold garnets heart key lock English Unisex (7540)

Antique Georgian locket brooch. Gold, garnets, glass. Made in United Kingdom circa 1800. Unisex - suitable for a man or a woman.

Measurements:

Weight is 5.1 grams.  Slightly under 1 inch (1.9cm) long.

Description :

Highly romantic brooch locket. Rectangular with rounded corners. The top is set with a large, flat garnet, surrounded at the corners by smaller versions of the garnet. Typical Georgian flat cut and colette setting, closed at the back. 
Hanging from the center via a series of loops is a beautiful heart-shaped garnet. Garnets are red with a tinge of purple. 
On either side of the central heart is another series of loops, suspending respectively, a lock and key. 
The theme is continue on the back with it's pierced key-hole. A hinged pin and simple c-clasp. Pin may be a later replacement as the gold of the locket is red gold and the pin is yellow gold. 
The hinged locked opens to reveal a glazed compartment with a locket of brown hair, tied with a red thread. As intact today as it was well over 200 years ago. 

Marks and Metal:

Tests as approximately 11ct, with 19ct to the heart and key. 
     

Condition:

Good with negligible wear commensurate with age. Hinge in good shape. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.   

THE STORY:

 
The Georgians were way more romantic and sentimental than us. They were also prodigious gift givers and steeped in knowledge about symbols.
This brooch combines all of these elements, the romance of the gift; the romance and symbolism of the lock and key, the romance of the heart and of course, the inner compartment with a beloved's lock of hair. Was it the hair of the lover or was it the hair of a beloved deceased? We will never know, but the mystery and possibility adds to the intrigue and history of this wonderful small jewel.

As with much Georgian jewelry, gold was not homogenous and might test as different purity at different places in the same jewel.