Knock on Wood - Faux Bois

Antique Victorian Faux Bois Locket

"Faux bois (from the French for false wood) refers to the artistic imitation of wood or wood grains in various media. The craft has roots in the Renaissance with trompe-l'œil."

My latest find! An antique Victorian locket. So unusual. It has a cool faux bois design done in pink and green gold. I have not tested this yet, but believe the outer shell to be gold. The interior seems to be a gold gilt base metal.

The back has the same design. Love that the buckle or strap is "attached" with a silver screw. Reminds me of an old wooden trunk or pirate's chest.

You can see that the inside has some wear to the gold gilt finish.

The locket still has the original glass compartment or photo covers. Also an original piece of paper that came with the locket when it was new. The glass pieces are loose, but may stay in place when photos are added.

An amazing piece! Stop by Wicked Darling  and check out all of my antique and vintage lockets.

Real Life Tragedy - Comedy Masks

Tiny Antique Victorian Locket

This is just my observation, but the photos in this antique locket remind me of the Greek tragedy and comedy masks. She looks so upset and or stern. He looks quite pleased with himself. Her facial expressions are quite typical for Victorian era photographs. His facial expressions, on the other hand, are quite refreshing. Very unusual to see someone smile for the camera back then. Doesn't he look like he just told a not so polite joke? She must not have found it to be so amusing. :)

Just one of the lockets you can find at Wicked Darling.

Thanks for stopping by!

For Fall

Antique Enameled Floral Heart Shaped Pin

 Fall is my favorite time of year. Here are a few of my fall favs.

Antique Victorian Locket

1930s Vintage Silver Ring

Stop by Wicked Darling and check out my newly added treasures.

Thanks for stopping by!

Buckle Up...Antique and Vintage Buckle Motif Jewelry

Art Deco Buckle Bracelet From Pinguim on Etsy

With this weekend being a holiday weekend here in the U.S., I keep hearing commercials saying..."Drive safely! Buckle up!". It brings to mind the fabulous buckle motif pieces of antique and vintage jewelry that my friend has in her Etsy shops. Hazel, owner and curator of the shops The Deeps and Pinguim, has the most stunning collections of jewelry! I am in awe of her shops! So I thought that I would bring you a peek at some of her fabulous jewelry! Enjoy!

Antique Victorian Mourning Locket From The Deeps on Etsy

This is just one of the amazing lockets that Hazel has in her shops!! 

Art Deco Buckle Bracelet from the 1933 Chicago's World Fair from the Deeps on Etsy

Such a fabulous bracelet!! For the steampunk collector, this bracelet features a skyline of Chicago with zeppelins!!!

Vintage Rhinestone Buckle Choker from Pinguim on Etsy

Chokers are one the hottest things showing on the runways for fall! You might want to swoop down on this one before it is gone! Remember with antique and vintage jewelry, buy it when you see it. You may not get a second chance!

I hope that you have enjoyed seeing these beautiful pieces of antique and vintage jewelry from The Deeps and Pinguim shops on Etsy. You simply must check out Hazel's shops! You will be amazed!!!! 

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

So They Say It's Your Birthday - Victorian Enameled Birthday Locket

What's not to love about this antique Victorian locket! Pink roses, beautiful pansies and forget - me - nots...all wrapped in a banner that say's "Birthday Gift". Well...OK...Part of the "Gift" is missing, but it does not make this treasure any less desirable! Can you imagine the smile on the face of this locket's first recipient! This is what is referred to as a "back front" locket. The back and front are made of 9ct yellow gold. The framework or "bones" of the locket are made of another metal. Most likely brass. Just a true treasure! It dates to the 1880s. I have finally decided it is time to part with it...So I have listed it in my shop Wicked Darling.

It comes with instant ancestors too! Look...the man is wearing a pansy boutonniere! I love that the lady has a gentle little smile. Unusual for the times, as most people did not smile in photographs.

Look at this gorgeous engraving on the back! All hand engraved!!

Here is a side view and you can see the engraved details on the front as well.

This magnificent locket would make a very wonderful birthday gift for that someone special...or maybe treat yourself! It is certain to become a family heirloom. To learn more about this locket, just stop by my shop, Wicked Darling. Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog! I hope that you have enjoyed it!

Happy Collecting!

Visit my Wicked Darling shop on Etsy .

Sitting On Top Of The World - Victorian Lion Locket

You never forget your first!...Locket that is. If you are a collector, you know exactly what I mean. You most likely remember that moment in time when you caught the fever. When you discovered what would begin a life long quest for another...and another. This locket was my first. It is the locket that gave me locket fever. I can remember where I found it. The day I found it. The weather on that day! Let me say that I usually cannot remember what I did earlier in the day, but I found this antique Victorian locket almost 30 years ago and I still remember the details! I had to rescue it from a tangled mess of beads and chains. It was in a box of "junk" at a housewares - antique shop. I was so determined to set it free from this lowly junk box. It seemed to take forever. I purchased the locket and went on my way. We were on a road trip. A very long road trip. I remember holding it in my hands and inspecting it for the next 10 hours. What a treasure!

It also appears that it held a stone at one time. Perhaps in the mouth of the lion. You can see here that part of his face is flattened and has a different color metal. You will see below, in one of the photos, that someone attempted a crude repair from the inside of the locket.

At the time I knew very little about Victorian jewelry, but I knew that was about to change. I bought every book about antique jewelry that I could get my hands on. This was long before we had computers or the internet. Look how majestic this lion is! Sitting on top of the world. I now believe that he represents Great Britain. He dates to the 1870s.

You can see the detail in this locket and why I became obsessed!

Just amazing! My photos do not do this locket justice!

Just look at the intricate hand chased or hand engraved details on the back of the locket. The engraving was actually what fascinated me about the locket. I had worked in a fine jewelry store and had done engraving using a machine. That was difficult enough...and I knew what kind of skill was required to do the level of engraving that was on this locket.

You can see the crude repair. Also, there is hair under glass. Original to the locket.

I have really enjoyed this locket! It has given me so much pleasure and strangely enough...the locket with a globe and a map on the front, may have set me on a course that would ultimately change the direction of my life. A course that I happily travel on everyday! :) Thanks for stopping by! 

Happy Collecting!

For more antique and vintage jewelry, please visit my shop.

Wicked Darling

Dog Days of Summer - Victorian Dog Locket - Spinner Fob

This antique Victorian era locket - spinner fob is magnificent! It has two dogs, Spaniels or perhaps Labradors, standing face to face at the top. It is an extremely large piece and very heavy! I have not tested the locket as to metal content, but it has a gold tone. On one side is a beautiful agate and the flip side is bloodstone. It dates to the 1850s - 1860s. The Civil War Era.

Look at the amazing detail in the dogs!

You can see in this photo how the locket part flips. The locket is very deep and would have easily held a tintype or daguerreotype photo.

Here is a view of the front and back. The edges are beautiful!

You can see here that it opens on both sides.

This is a view of the inside of the locket.

Look how massive this locket fob is! Just a beauty! I have been wanting to share this piece with you for sometime now. I hope that you have enjoyed seeing it. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Happy Collecting!

To see more antique and vintage jewelry, please stop by my shop.

Wicked Darling

We All Love a Beautiful Purse - Victorian Enameled Purse Locket

We all love a beautiful purse and the Victorian ladies were no exception. This gorgeous antique Victorian purse locket dates to around 1875. It is gold with an over all blue enamel. The color of this enamel is often referred to as "robin's egg blue". There is also black enamel in the hand engraved recessed areas. This type of enamel is known as Taille d' Epergne. (You may also see this spelled Taille d' Epargne.) Set in the center, is a tiny natural seed pearl. Although this beauty is in need of a repair, I wanted to share it with you. It simply needs a pin replaced in the hinge.

This is the front and back of the beautiful locket. It is becoming hard to find these enameled antique lockets. Especially lockets that do not have a lot of damage to the enamel. That being said, even the lockets with quite a bit of damage to the enamel, are highly sought after! As a collector, damage to the enamel does not deter me. To me it shows that the piece was treasured and worn with love. However, some collectors want pristine pieces. To each his own. This locket has a teeny flee flick out of one of the enameled ivy leaves.

The inside of this tiny purse locket reveals the original paper inserts and photo rims, as well as a remaining glass cover on one side.

The side view shows the detailed craftsmanship that went into the making of this locket.

The bottom view of the locket. Notice how flush and precise the gold work is on the hinge and edges. These types of enameled lockets are found in gold and silver.

The back is just as detailed and ladylike as the front.

I hope that you have enjoyed seeing this tiny treasure from my collection. I have many more treasures to share with you! Thank you so much for stopping by!

Happy Collecting!

For more antique and vintage jewelry, please visit my shop.

Wicked Darling

Embellishment - Victorian Locket

Isn't this locket a beauty! So ornate. Totally embellished to the hilt! It would have been just as pretty with only the hand painted enameled center...but wait! Let's add some green gold leaves. OK...are we done yet? No...I think it needs some applied pink gold flowers and some raised nodules or points on the sides. OK! Now we are done? Nope! Let's add some seed pearls set in buttercup settings. OK. Now we are done? Well at least for the front.

This piece is typical of the 1860s to 1870s. Large and ornate, yet very feminine and soft in nature.

Now for the back of the piece. It once had a pin stem and a bale for wearing as a pendant and a brooch. But why stop there! It is also a locket. This hidden locket compartment would hold a photo or memento of someone special. Allowing the wearer to hide her secret affections. No one would be any the wiser of this lady's feelings towards that someone special. With the onset of photography and the technology of making photos widely available to the common folk, lockets became hugely popular and they remain so even to this day.

Here you can see the side view of this locket. You gently pull up on the rim at the top, and the glass cover will lift off. This piece still has the original tinted paper insert and glass.

Just a beautiful locket in need of some minor repairs. Then it can once again hold that secret someone close to the heart.

Happy Collecting!
To see more antique and vintage jewelry, stop by my shop.
Wicked Darling