Here we have a lovely antique 9ct gold “Back and Front” Souvenir locket from the late Victorian or Edwardian era.

The term “back and front” refers to a locket made with 9ct gold on both the front and back, with a non-gold metal layer in between. Typically, the inside rim, hinge, and removable frame are crafted from a gold-plated metal.

9ct gold back-and-front lockets are generally more durable than those made from solid gold. This is because solid gold is relatively soft and prone to bending, whereas the metal frame provides added strength and stability to the locket’s opening and closing mechanism. The combination of metals in these lockets makes the gold harder and more resistant to scratching and denting compared to higher-purity gold alloys, which tend to be softer and more vulnerable to wear.

This lovely item has been thoroughly tested by both acid and Electronic XRF and confirmed to be at least 9ct gold on both the front and back.

The word “souvenir” translates from the French as “remember” or “memory” so is perfect for holding a photo or some other keepsake of a loved one.

Dates to the late Victorian or Edwardian era.

We have included some very large and clear images so please do view them as they describe this lovely item far better than we are able.

Such a lovely and unusual item!