Antique Victorian Mourning Locket Value Guide

This antique Victorian mourning locket, originating from the United Kingdom between 1860 and 1890, represents a poignant era of sentimental jewelry popularized by Queen Victoria. Crafted from gold-plated brass with a glass-protected display window, these lockets served as wearable memento mori designed to hold intimate relics like hair or photographs.

What Is Antique Victorian Mourning Locket Worth?

The typical price range for Antique Victorian Mourning Locket is $45 - $50 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence of original contents, such as intricately braided hair or a period photograph, can influence desirability.
• Condition of the gold plating, specifically looking for 'brassing' or wear-through on the high points of the locket.
• The clarity and integrity of the glass window, as chips or replacements can affect the $45-$50 valuation.
• Functional integrity of the hinge and clasp, ensuring the locket still snaps shut securely.

How to Identify Antique Victorian Mourning Locket?

• Check for a glass-protected oval display window designed to house hair or fabric remnants.
• Examine the base metal for gold-plated brass, typical of mid-to-late Victorian mass-produced sentimental jewelry.
• Look for construction styles consistent with the 1860-1890 period, such as specific hinge designs or bail shapes common in the UK.
• Verify the presence of original internal frames or tension rings used to hold the memento in place.

History of Antique Victorian Mourning Locket

Mourning jewelry reached its height of popularity during the Victorian era, particularly after the death of Prince Albert in 1861, when Queen Victoria went into permanent mourning. These lockets were designed to hold a lock of hair, a small photograph, or a piece of fabric from a deceased loved one, serving as a wearable memento mori.