Untitled (Locket) 1839 - 1860

This locket features a hand-painted portrait of a woman, likely made in the 19th century. Lockets such as this one played an important social and cultural role in an era where photographs were expensive and not easily reproduced. They served as portable keepsakes that allowed people to carry images of loved ones with them at all times. During the 1800's, mourning jewelry was very popular, especially in Victorian England and the United States. The death of a family member was commemorated with specific garments, jewelry and rituals. These lockets were a common way to keep the memory of loved ones close. To fully understand the social significance of this locket, a researcher would need to understand the history of portraiture, the Victorian culture of mourning, and the development of photographic technology. Considering these factors will allow us to interpret the object with a greater appreciation of the cultural values from which it emerged.