1890s British Floral & Avian Shield Convertible Brooch Locket

This convertible brooch and locket, crafted in the late Victorian era of the 1890s in Britain, is made of sterling silver with bi-color gold plating. The piece features a shield-shaped design with varied contours. The front is intricately engraved with a rich and delicate floral and avian motif in bi-color gold. In the Victorian era, where symbolism was paramount, such compositions often carried carefully woven emotional meanings. The plant depicted, with its full and charming flowers, is the bleeding heart. Due to its heart-shaped blooms and blood-like petal structure, it symbolizes love, fidelity, and sorrow, with its flower language conveying "loyalty" or "accepting pursuit." This flower, native to Asia, was introduced to the West by European botanists in the 19th century, subsequently establishing its place in horticulture and various cultures. Its English name is bleeding heart, in French it is coeur de Marie (Mary's heart), and its scientific name is Dicentra spectabilis, where "spectabilis" in Latin means "worthy of admiration, striking," fully expressing the admiration for its aesthetic form. In this composition, the bleeding heart represents deep love and loyalty, possibly encompassing the pain and regret experienced in love. The bird acts as a messenger of emotions, conveying promises of love and expressing affection and longing. The butterfly, a witness to time, hints at the transience of love and cherishes the memory of past affections, collectively expressing an eternal remembrance of a relationship while also being a high tribute to the beauty of nature. The item is in antique condition, showing normal signs of oxidation and wear. The back exhibits more noticeable oxidation, and the locket's side plating has some wear. The main motif remains intact with minimal damage, reflecting its status as a century-old antique, not a new item. Origin: United Kingdom Year: 1890s Material: Sterling Silver Dimensions: 4.8x3.7x0.35 cm Weight: 14.65g Condition: Antique condition, with normal oxidation and signs of wear. The back shows more noticeable oxidation, and the locket's side plating has some wear. The main motif is intact with minimal damage. Important Notes for Purchase: Antique jewelry refers to pieces "over one hundred years old." Items less than a century old are classified as vintage or second-hand jewelry. All antique jewelry sold by Xiangcheng will be accompanied by a brand certificate detailing the item's era, materials, etc. If the product does not match the certificate, a full refund will be issued. Before sale, each item's condition is meticulously recorded using photographic equipment to ensure members are fully aware of any flaws or signs of use. Photographs form an integral part of the product description. Therefore, members are advised to carefully assess their intent to purchase before checkout. Once the checkout process is completed, due to the unique nature of our products, we regret that returns or exchanges cannot be accepted for any reason, including minor flaws or depreciation. We kindly ask members to reconfirm their purchase intent before checkout to avoid any disputes. Shipping Methods: Enjoy "free shipping on any purchase" for Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan. Shipments within Taiwan will be sent via "Registered Post." If registered mail is inconvenient, please specify "convenience store pickup" (7-11 or FamilyMart) in your order and provide the store name or code. Shipments to Hong Kong and Macau will be sent via SF Express.