How were portrait lockets worn?

People wore these small painted pieces suspended from ribbons or gold chains around the neck. They rested close to the chest as personal tokens of affection or remembrance. Many designs also featured pin fittings on the reverse, allowing the wearer to fasten the pendant securely to clothing as a brooch.

What is inside a double-sided locket?

Double-sided pieces typically feature a painted portrait on the front and a memorial compartment on the back. This reverse section often displays woven human hair or initials arranged beneath glass. This dual nature allowed the owner to keep both the likeness and a physical trace of a loved one simultaneously.

How do I date a portrait locket?

Dating relies heavily on costume, hair styling, and the framing technique used by the maker. High powdered wigs and specific neckwear styles point directly to the eighteenth century. Hallmarks on the gold frames and stylistic shifts toward Regency simplicity provide further chronological markers for the piece.