1890s England Late Victorian Niello Astrolabe Photo Locket

This is a late Victorian-era photo locket from the 1890s, crafted entirely from sterling silver with niello decoration and double-sided glass compartments. The piece showcases rippling concentric circles on both sides, drawing inwards towards the center, creating an infinite, cosmic effect within the circular base. The consistent spacing and width of these lines form a clean composition. One side features star motifs at the top and bottom, with engraved lines that accentuate the star shapes, creating a simple, astrolabe-like design in harmony with the concentric circles. The extensive use of niello technique lends the piece a sophisticated and modern finish. Inside, each side features a glass compartment, perfect for holding cherished photographs or fabric swatches. Worn simply as a pendant, it adds a distinctive personal touch. About Niello: Niello is a metal inlay technique where a design is engraved into gold or silver and then filled with a black mixture, typically containing silver, copper, lead, and sulfur. The exact composition varies among artisans. After polishing, the raised metal retains its original color, while the recessed areas appear black. Niello is an ancient technique, with the earliest known artifacts dating back to the Bronze Age (around 1800 BCE), found in Syria in the form of vessels and daggers. However, many unearthed niello objects have lost their black inlay over time due to prolonged burial, leaving the exact period and regions of its origin a subject of ongoing archaeological debate. The niello technique perfectly embodies the concept of repurposing various metal scraps for decoration, aligning with the philosophy of goldsmiths who worked with the materials readily available to them due to the difficulty of sourcing new materials. The application of niello varies geographically. For antique jewelry over a century old, Western pieces commonly feature geometric patterns like checkerboards or horizontal lines. In Asia, it is frequently found in pieces from Southern Thailand, often depicting Thai deities. The photo locket is in good antique condition, showing normal signs of oxidation and wear consistent with a century-old piece, not a new item. Origin: England Year: 1890s Materials: Sterling Silver, Niello, Glass Dimensions: 3x2.2 cm Weight: 5.3g Condition: Good antique condition with normal oxidation and signs of wear. Important Notes: Antique jewelry refers to pieces "over a century old." Items less than 100 years old are classified as vintage or second-hand jewelry. All antique jewelry sold by Xiang Cheng is accompanied by a brand certificate detailing the piece's era, materials, and other relevant information. We offer a full refund if the item does not match the certificate's description. Each item's condition is meticulously documented with photographic equipment before sale to ensure members are fully aware of any imperfections or signs of use. Photographs form an integral part of the item's description. Therefore, members are urged to carefully assess their purchase intent before checkout. Once the checkout process is complete, due to the unique nature of our merchandise, we regret that returns or exchanges cannot be accepted for any reason, including minor flaws or signs of age. Please reconsider your purchase decision carefully before finalizing your order to avoid any disputes. Shipping: Enjoy complimentary shipping on all orders to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan. All shipments within Taiwan will be sent via registered post. If registered post is inconvenient, please specify your preferred convenience store for pickup (7-11 or FamilyMart) and provide the store name or code in your order. Shipments to Hong Kong and Macau will be sent via SF Express.