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EARLY CELLULOID TORTOISE CAMEO LOCKET NECKLACE ~1880' s
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EARLY CELLULOID TORTOISE CAMEO LOCKET NECKLACE ~1880' s
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Up for auction is this absolutely fabulous Victorian era cameo locket pendant necklace. In 1868 John Wesley Hyatt nvented celluloid. Manufacturers took advantage of celluloid's ability to imitate tortoise shell and the earliest celluloid jewelry was made to imitate tortoise shell, ivory, jet and materials that were highly prized and very desirable.. This is a very early celluloid piece. The style, workmanship, and evident age of the locket place this wonderful necklace in the late Victorian period from 1875 to 1889. Tortoise pieces were suitable for half mourning, that is , black for the first year and tortoise shell was considered suitable for the second year of mourning. If this piece was done in carved tortoise, it would be worth several thousand dollars in todays market. It features a large 2-3/8" locket (including the carved attached hook) with a Carving of a woman. I believe it is the female counterpart of Bacchus the god of grapes. T are, with what appear to be grape leaves and a bunch of grapes in her hair. She is done in EXTREMELY HIGH RELIEF and if you look at her features, it is amazing how beautifully intricate and detailed they are. It shows a FULL FACE from the side, not just the profile. Hopefully you can see this in my photos. She is FACING LEFT which was considered desirable in old cameo lockets. The locket opens showing two compartments. Each is encised with the number 211. I believe this was probably done for security reasons by the previous owner. One side has the glass and frame. The hinge on the locket is perfect. It is the long old hinge measuring over ¾". It closes with a tiny gold peg fitting in a small hole on the side.The hinge and the glass and gold piece that secures photos are old and attest to the age of the piece. The locket hangs from a 7/8" bail and then from a large tortoise jump ring measuring 1-¼" in diameter. The carved faux tortoise link chain measures 21-½". The hook clasp gives slightly to allow a secure closure. The condition is great. If you look very closely, you will find 2or 4 fleabite marks on the chain which I am sure can be polished smooth. T is also a very tiny nick on the side w the locket opens.(shown in photo) T are no cracked links or cracks anyw on the locket chain, bail or clasp. A wonderful antique necklace which would make an incredible addition to a Victorian early celluloid jewelry collection. I have placed a low reserve on this piece.
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