Page 26 - May-JOA-22

ANTIQUES PEEK by Jessica Kosinski
ANTIQUES PEEK

Holders of Keepsakes and Love

ove is a beautiful thing. It Early Locket Uses It is now widely accepted as one of the most
is so beautiful, in fact, As mentioned before, one famous and earliest portrait locket examples.
Lthat there are many of the earliest uses for During some historical periods in certain
symbols of love and relation- lockets was as good luck areas, ashes were also placed in lockets. That
ships that are celebrated charms or talismans. allowed the wearers to literally carry their loved
today. Everything from They were thought to ones with them everywhere they went. Some
flowers and chocolates to ward off evil, illness, or lockets also contained personal mementos of
cards and candles, we all can ghosts. Their exact loved ones, such as tiny love letters. Most such
conjure up images in our superstitious uses varied lockets were still
minds of romance. But there is by era and geographic worn as reminders
one symbol of love with a much location. However, they of the deceased.
longer and more convoluted history were often considered
than many people realize: the locket. almost essential at the time Lockets for
Lockets have been worn for centuries, Elizabeth I locket ring periods and in the locations Living Loves
but today many people are unaware of where those uses were popular. The 19th and
the full history of locket wearing. Let’s take a Men and women alike wore them to keep 20th centuries saw
peek at why and how lockets have remained themselves safe from perceived dangers. increases in lockets
popular for centuries. Interestingly, some lockets containing poison. worn to represent
Another popular use for lockets occurred living loves.
What is a Locket? in Europe in the 16th century. At that time, Although
A locket is a pendant that opens. Modern sanitation was not like it is today. As a result,
lockets are often part of necklaces. Although, many public streets and alleys had unpleasant many lockets were
still worn to repre-
there are some rings, pins, and other pieces of smells. People used lockets to help combat sent the deceased
jewelry that do include lockets. There have those smells by placing small pieces of as well. The 20th
also been famous historical pieces of jewelry perfume-soaked fabric or pouches of fragrant century also saw a
that contained lockets – mainly, rings. Today, herbs in their lockets. major shift in how Victorian Heart Shaped
the compartment inside a locket usually lockets were used Diamond and Ruby Locket
The History of Lockets as Symbols of due to advancements in photographic tech-
Deceased Loved Ones nologies. As a result, almost all 20th century
Lockets have been used as symbols of love lockets contained photographs. However,
for centuries as well. Although, exactly how some still contained hair or other materials.
they have been used for that purpose has Some also contained photographs along with
changed and adapted with the changing times. other accompanying materials.
For example, the practice of keeping locks of In addition, the 19th and 20th centuries
hair in lockets increased in popularity in the were times when lockets were worn more often
17th and 18th centuries. Those locks of hair by women than men. Their lockets often con-
typically belonged to deceased loved ones, tained photos or mementos of their spouses.
including spouses or parents. However, they However, notable exceptions occurred during
were also sometimes symbols of a different World War I and World War II. During those
type of love that was more like an allegiance. times, it was more common for soldiers to wear
For example, some loyal supporters of Charles I lockets with photographs of their girlfriends or
wore lockets containing his hair after his wives. Another type of living love locket that
1649 execution. By the 18th century, lockets became popular with advancements in photo
Victorian Locket
containing hair were so popular that many were technology was the family locket. Those lockets
made so the hair was visible without the need to were most often worn by mothers and featured
contains something to remind the wearer of a open the lockets. Those transparent locket pictures of their children.
loved one. For example, it might contain that designs often incorporated the hair woven The Love of Lockets
loved one’s picture. However, that wasn’t in patterns or swirled in circles. The love of lockets, despite
always the intended purpose of a locket. Early lockets were worn as changing forms over the centuries,
symbols of familial love or has clearly stood the test of time.
The History of Lockets Themselves allegiance and often had Today, you can still buy lockets
Lockets date back to ancient times. Their elaborate designs. They in stores or have them custom-
earliest iterations were various amulets often sometimes included family made. However, buying an
worn for superstitious purposes. From the crests. They also almost antique locket is a great way to
15th through the 17th centuries, they evolved always included portraits of display your love of history and
to have many uses. Their designs also evolved loved ones. your love of love. Many antique
to become more decorative and elaborate. In the 1500s Queen lockets can even be adapted to
They slowly became beautiful jewelry pieces, Elizabeth I wore a portrait include modern mementos of your
rather than just superstitious talismans. locket incorporated into a ring. It own loved ones. Although, making
Their appeal as decorative jewelry continued contained portraits of herself such adaptations is likely to
through the following centuries and still and Anne Boleyn (her mother). 19th Century Mourning Pendant reduce their resale values.
remains intact today. Locket with Hair

24 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles