An extraordinary early Victorian locket preserving both jewelry and photographic history. Crafted in 12k gold, the case is framed by an elaborate repoussé border with beautifully detailed hand engraving and a central cartouche that was never personalized.

Open the locket to reveal the portrait of an unidentified woman beneath the glass. The image is an original daguerreotype, one of the earliest forms of photography. Created on a mirror-like silvered surface, daguerreotypes shift between positive and negative depending on the viewing angle and light, giving this portrait its wonderfully ghostlike appearance.

Dating to approximately 1854–1856, this remarkable piece sits at the convergence of jewelry and photographic history. Its 12k gold construction and original daguerreotype portrait, together with the construction and details of the piece, place it within an unusually narrow period in the mid-1850s. More than 170 years later, the identity of the woman pictured inside has been lost, but her portrait remains with the piece that once held it.

A copper pin on the reverse allows the locket to be worn as a brooch, while the open pin construction allows it to be styled on a chain or ribbon and worn at the neck.

Era: c. 1854–1856
Materials: 12k gold, glass, copper pin
Weight: 8.5 grams
Measurements: Approximately 1.45" × 1.17"
Condition: Very good antique condition with age-appropriate wear. The original daguerreotype remains intact and recognizable, with age-related wear to the image.