DATE: Victorian, c.1870

An exquisite antique silver locket and book collar dating from the Victorian period, circa 1870. The locket features gorgeously applied AEI- Amity, Eternity, Infinity. It opens to reveal two locket compartment with purple fabric inserts, and it's suspended from a well matched silver collar, made up of book chain links. Each one features floral chased detail, and it has a wearable length of 15.7 inches. Finely worked and well executed. 

Amity, Eternity, Infinity. The AEI sentiment was popular throughout the Victorian period as a representation of eternal love - a love that conquers even death. This is my favoured interpretation, however some suggest the AEI simply references the Greek word "aei", meaning for now and forever. They essentially amount to the same thing.

MEASUREMENTS 

Locket: 4.6 x 3.4cm

Wearable length: 15.7 inches 

Width of links: 1cm

WEIGHT 

47.37g

MARKS 

No marks present, tests as silver

CONDITION 

Very good