1890s French Niello Heart Double-Sided Locket

This locket hails from 1890s France, crafted from sterling silver with niello decoration, featuring a double-sided photo compartment. The piece presents a minimalist heart design. The finely striped niello embellishments create a visually elongated and elegant proportion, lending the overall piece a sophisticated and stylish flair. The photo frame can be gently lifted with a fine needle to hold cherished mementos and photographs. The lining is the original skin-toned silk fabric. An Introduction to Niello: Niello is a metal inlay technique, typically involving carving a design into gold or silver and then filling the recesses with a black mixture (often containing silver, copper, lead, and sulfur; exact compositions vary by artisan). After polishing, the raised metal areas retain their original metallic sheen, while the recessed areas appear black. The niello technique has a long history, with the earliest known examples dating back to the Bronze Age (circa 1800 BCE) found in Syria on pottery and daggers. However, many unearthed niello objects have lost their black inlay over centuries of burial, leaving the exact period and geographical origin a subject of ongoing archaeological debate. Niello technology perfectly embodies the practice of repurposing diverse metal scraps for decorative purposes, aligning with the mindset of early artisans who worked with whatever materials were at hand due to the difficulty of sourcing them. The application of niello varies by region. For antique jewelry over a century old, Western pieces often feature geometric patterns (checkerboards, horizontal lines), while in Asia, it's commonly found in pieces from Southern Thailand, often depicting Thai deities as design themes. This piece is in good antique condition, showing normal oxidation and signs of wear consistent with its age. The niello decoration is free of significant defects. A 1mm line on each side is a manufacturing mark, not damage, reflecting its status as a century-old antique, not a new item. Origin: France Year: 1890s Material: Sterling Silver, Niello Dimensions: Total Length (including bail) 3.6 cm, Heart 2.9x2.6x0.3 cm Weight: 7.29g Condition: Good antique condition, with normal oxidation and wear. Niello decoration is intact with no significant flaws. Lines on the sides are manufacturing marks, not damage. Important Information: Antique jewelry refers specifically to pieces "over a century old." Items less than a hundred years old are classified as vintage or second-hand jewelry. All jewelry sold by Xiang Cheng Antique Jewelry comes with a brand certificate detailing the piece's era and materials. We offer a full refund if the item does not match the certificate's description. Before sale, each item's condition is meticulously documented using photographic equipment to ensure our members are fully aware of any imperfections or signs of wear. These photographs are an integral part of the product description. Therefore, we kindly request that members carefully consider their purchase intent before checkout. Once the checkout process is completed, due to the unique nature of our offerings, we regret that we cannot accept returns or exchanges for any reason, including minor flaws or signs of age. We urge members to confirm their purchase decision thoroughly before completing their transaction to avoid any disputes. Shipping Information: Enjoy "free shipping on any purchase" for Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan. For Taiwan, all orders will be shipped via registered mail by Chunghwa 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. For Hong Kong and Macau, all orders will be shipped via SF Express.