An elegant French niello locket dating to around 1860, crafted in sterling silver and decorated with an intricate repeating floral design. The delicate black niello inlay contrasts beautifully against the polished silver, creating the refined monochrome aesthetic that made this decorative technique so fashionable during the mid-nineteenth century.
The oval locket is finished with a finely engraved floral motif that demonstrates the precision of traditional niello workmanship. Intended to hold a treasured photograph or memento, it combines practical function with exceptional craftsmanship. French niello jewellery of this quality remains highly sought after for its distinctive appearance and increasingly scarce survival.
The locket remains in excellent antique condition, with the niello decoration crisp and well preserved, showing only light age-related wear consistent with careful use over more than 160 years.
Era: French, c.1860
Hallmarks: French boar's head guarantee mark, indicating a minimum silver fineness of 800/1000
