Featured Mourning locket help!

Hi guys! I am new here and in need of some help. I’m not new to jewelry collecting, I’m a reseller on eBay and I’ve got many years of knowledge behind me. However, when it comes to antique jewelry, I am not so knowledgeable (I have a strong foundation). I received a locket today, it is black enamel on 14 karat gold. I was extremely surprised when I opened it and found a perfect handpainted miniature portrait of Jesus carrying the cross. Obviously made for this piece as it fits perfectly. Can someone help me with this? I can’t find any information on pieces like this. It is in excellent condition.I know it is probably Art Deco era. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

More like Victorian; that's when mourning pieces were popular. If I were guessing I'd go for the 1870s to mid-1880s, but odds are one of the real experts will be along pretty quickly. I'm more of a vintage costume type. I bet @Ownedbybear would like this one. The enamel bit might have been added later; it may have some bitty Italian hallmarks on the back where we can't see them.

 

It gas a Deco vibe....but I'm unsure it really is...
And if gold...there should be marks to show purity ..( that's a lotta gold...)
It's very fashionable...so again...not sure about Mourning......if it had a lock of hair in it.....that would clinch it......

let's see what the joolies have to say !!!!!

 

There is a mark,right side above the hinge.

 

I do indeed like it. I'd call it devotional rather than mourning. That's one of the Stations of the Cross. The seventh, where He stumbles. I'm actually wondering if it's earlier: that severity and simplicity is very Georgian. I'm also wondering Grand Tour - it's very Catholic.

 

You are correct, it says 14k.

 

That would be awesome if it were that old. However, having a 14k stamp- did they stamp that far back?

 

My feeling is Art Deco era rather than earlier (the 14k mark is rather American too), devotional and keepsake.
NICE PIECE!
And... Welcome on board!

 

A really lovely piece. Welcome

 

If it actually says 14K, then I'd agree later. I don't think as late as the 20s though.

 

Thank you all!!

 

Welcome Raccoon. It screams Art Deco to me.
Love the locket, and the contrast between the very sophisticated looking outside and the more folksy miniature on the inside is charming.

 

Sweet piece... wonder what the other side had...photo? lock of hair?
Leslie

 

Your image shows the picture frame to be separately hinged. Have you taken a look under the painting?

 

I vote Deco also. Similar form attached. Could it be reverse-painted? I can't tell from the photo.

 

I'm still inclined to Edwardian: that transition.

 

If it's marked with the 14k mark, I switch my vote to later than I'd though too - WWI era or a bit after. On closer inspection the colors in the devotional enamel on the inside aren't Victorian... but I still want to know if it has marks on the back.

 

Thank you! Yes, I was quite surprised. I had bought it to sell but it went into my collection instead!!

It actually looks fairly untouched on the other side - it has a piece of cloth that doesn’t look disturbed at all. I don’t think it’s woven hair as it’s too fine but I could be wrong. It might even possibly be a relic?

Yes! The backside of the mirror is polished like a mirror. I’ll post to picture down in the bottom.

I think it is probably on top of ceramic, however the back is closed so I can’t tell for sure. I have looked at it through my loupe and it is super smooth so if it isn’t reverse painted then it is protected by some sort of sealant.

The back in front of the locket are exactly the same, and the back of the painting is a smooth gold piece. I’m posting a pic at the bottom for reference.

I really appreciate everyone’s help and discussion!

 

so Deco....or not Deco.?