Lily of the valley from Paris

Antique Silver Locket with Mirror, Art Nouveau c. 1900


€ 489.00 *
Content 1 piece
Incl. VAT, Shipping
Antique Silver Locket with Mirror, Art Nouveau c. 1900
Antique Silver Locket with Mirror, Art Nouveau c. 1900
Description
This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!
The years around the turn of the century, 1900, were dedicated to splendour and beauty. Supported by the rising middle classes, who had become wealthy during the long period of peace, studios and concert halls, department stores and salons experienced a boom. The joie de vivre of the time is also reflected in the fashion for jewellery. This piece is no exception, as it celebrates beauty in a very direct way: instead of a compartment for locks of hair, it holds a mirror inside. Lockets with mirrors were particularly popular in France during this period. Their lids were often designed with motifs in the then flourishing Art Nouveau style. This led to silver lockets for smaller purses, as well as luxurious gold ones. These were often worn along with other practical items as a pendant on a chatelaine. One of the most popular motifs for this type of jewellery was certainly the lily of the valley (see "Learn more"), which appears on the cover of the oval locket in an enchanting, naturalistic way. According to the hallmark, the piece was made in the French capital, Paris. It is beautifully preserved and can be worn immediately around the neck, complete with its long chain.
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Today, we primarily associate the lily of the valley with the arrival of spring. However, in France, it holds an additional significance as a true symbol of good luck! May 1st, Labour Day, is also celebrated as the day of the lily of the valley festival for our western neighbours. On this day, many French people wear a lily of the valley in their buttonhole. But why? The romantic tradition dates back to 1561, when King Charles IX had the idea of presenting a lily of the valley to all the ladies at court. Since then, it has been believed that these flowers bring good luck to the recipient. As a result, lilies of the valley are given as gifts not only in Paris, but throughout France, with several million of these flowers exchanged every year.
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Size & Details
Antique Silver Locket with Mirror, Art Nouveau c. 1900
Lily of the valley from Paris
€ 489.00 *
Content 1 piece
Incl. VAT, Shipping
Our Promise
Our Promise
Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

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