Victorian 18kt Diamond & Enamel Portrait Locket

An absolutely gorgeous gold and enamel locket from the Victorian (ca1880) era! This wonderful piece is made of 18kt yellow gold and has a vividly stunning portrait displayed on its face. The portrait is hand-painted, with a layer of clear enamel placed on top of it. The portrait is of a woman adorned with a laurel wreath headdress, as well as a blue hair ribbon. The portrait is painted with vivid hues of blue, pink, and green and the painting is surrounded by a scalloped etched design, which borders the entire heart-shaped piece. Black enamel tracery creates a lovely scrolled floral design within the border on the back of the locket with 23 assorted rose cut diamonds set within the enamel. The piece hangs from a complimentary, fluted bail and the locket opens to reveal one spot behind a piece of heart-cut crystal for a favorite photograph. It's a beautiful and unusual Victorian piece, which would make a wonderful addition to any collection! Measurements: The locket is approximately 1 1/2" long including the bail, is slightly less than 1" wide, and is 1/2" thick. Condition: The overall condition of the locket is excellent. Besides normal surface wear, there is no apparent damage to the gold or etched design. The painted portrait is in excellent condition and all of the diamonds are intact. It closes easily and securely.