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Lockets

The history of the locket necklace begins in the ancient world, when individuals would wear small pendants or amulets with secret interior compartments containing, at times, secret inscriptions or, at others, various potions. These substances could range from the recuperative, for the medicinal benefit of the wearer, to the poisonous, for self-protection.

Lockets maintained this use throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, with the tiny enclosures being used to secret away such poisons, but they also began to take on less nefarious connotations. British Queen Elizabeth I, for example, popularized the locket in the late 16th century as a means of circulating her portrait (she was rumored to give her likeness away in this format to all who visited her court).

The 19th-century Queen Victoria replaced this regal portrait with an early photograph of her lost Prince Albert following his death in 1861, transforming the locket into a means of mourning and remembrance.


Quick Facts

  • A Greek papyrus scroll dating to around 500 A.D. might represent the earliest recorded locket enclosure. Discovered in 2014, the papyrus’ folding pattern suggests it was once neatly tucked away inside of an amulet or pendant and worn in secret
  • Some lockets are known as lavalieres, named after 17th century French lady Louise, Duchesse de La Vallière. She wore ostentatious locket pendant necklaces while at court, hence the lending of her name to the style
  • The locket necklace was immortalized in the classic Broadway musical, “Annie,” when the little orphan girl gets a locket from Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks

Recommended Items at Auction

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Elizabeth Locke 19k Gold Carnelian Moth Ladies Hammered Enhancer Pendant New w Tag
Feb 22, 12:00 PM EST
Elizabeth Locke 19k Gold Carnelian Moth Ladies Hammered Enhancer Pendant New w Tag
by Hess Fine Art
Est: $2,200- $2,600
$40011 Bids
Elizabeth Locke Onyx Bird Hand Hammered 19k Gold Enhancer Pendant
Feb 22, 12:00 PM EST
Elizabeth Locke Onyx Bird Hand Hammered 19k Gold Enhancer Pendant
by Hess Fine Art
Est: $2,200- $2,500
$40010 Bids
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14K YELLOW GOLD CZ TURTLE LOCKET PENDANT
Mar 01, 1:00 PM EST
14K YELLOW GOLD CZ TURTLE LOCKET PENDANT
by Florida Estate Sales Inc.
Est: $400- $10,000
$1107 Bids
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Locket Filled With Sapphires On Sterling Chain
Feb 20, 10:00 AM EST
Locket Filled With Sapphires On Sterling Chain
by Berner's Auction Gallery
Est: $10- $10,000
$136 Bids
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1800s Mourning Portrait/Hair Locket
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
1800s Mourning Portrait/Hair Locket
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$905 Bids
VICTORIAN 14K GOLD LOCKET ON CHAIN
Feb 21, 11:00 AM EST
VICTORIAN 14K GOLD LOCKET ON CHAIN
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $400- $600
$1252 Bids
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Antique gilt oval locket & silver gilt wedder
Feb 23, 12:00 PM AEDT
Antique gilt oval locket & silver gilt wedder
by Lugosi Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD50- AUD80
AUD501 Bid
14k Gold Chain with Victorian Pendant Locket
Feb 27, 10:00 AM EST
14k Gold Chain with Victorian Pendant Locket
by Schultz Auctioneers
Est: $750- $1,000
$2501 Bid
VICTORIAN GOLD HEART LOCKET PENDANT NECKLACE
Feb 20, 4:00 PM GMT
VICTORIAN GOLD HEART LOCKET PENDANT NECKLACE
by Etrusca Auction
Est: £300- £600
£1501 Bid
SWEET ANTIQUE ENAMEL AND PEARL HEART LOCKET PENDANT
Feb 20, 4:00 PM GMT
SWEET ANTIQUE ENAMEL AND PEARL HEART LOCKET PENDANT
by Etrusca Auction
Est: £300- £600
£1501 Bid
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18K Gold Temple St. Clair Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Locket Necklace Pendant
Mar 01, 9:00 AM CST
18K Gold Temple St. Clair Pink Tourmaline and Diamond Locket Necklace Pendant
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $300- $600
$1501 Bid
A LILAC GUILLOCHÉ ENAMEL LOCKET PENDANT
Feb 27, 9:30 AM GMT
A LILAC GUILLOCHÉ ENAMEL LOCKET PENDANT
by Elstob Auctioneers
Est: £50- £80
£101 Bid
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Antique large oval silver locket
Feb 23, 12:00 PM AEDT
Antique large oval silver locket
by Lugosi Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD100- AUD150
AUD1001 Bid
Antique 14k Gold & Agate Cameo Locket
Feb 25, 11:00 AM EST
Antique 14k Gold & Agate Cameo Locket
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $100- $1,000
$501 Bid
Art Nouveau gold-filled repousse locket and chain
Feb 21, 9:30 AM PST
Art Nouveau gold-filled repousse locket and chain
by Clars Auctions
Est: $200- $400
$1000 Bids
FABERGÉ, A DIAMOND SET ENAMEL LOCKET PENDANT
Mar 19, 10:30 AM GMT
FABERGÉ, A DIAMOND SET ENAMEL LOCKET PENDANT
by Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales
Est: £4,000- £6,000
£3,5000 Bids
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Victorian Pocket Mirror Colonial Woman Daguerréotype GF Pendant Locket
Feb 21, 9:30 AM EST
Victorian Pocket Mirror Colonial Woman Daguerréotype GF Pendant Locket
by Figlio Designs LLC
Est: $200- $400
$850 Bids
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Victorian 14K Mourning Locket
Feb 22, 3:00 PM PST
Victorian 14K Mourning Locket
by Clark's Auction Company
Est: $800- $1,000
$4500 Bids
Ladies 90/ 10 Platinum Diamond and Emerald Locket
Mar 01, 10:00 AM EST
Ladies 90/ 10 Platinum Diamond and Emerald Locket
by Devin Moisan Auctioneers, Inc.
Est: $300- $500
$1500 Bids
A 9ct gold locket with engraved foliate decoration…
Feb 23, 9:00 AM GMT
A 9ct gold locket with engraved foliate decoration…
by Claydon Auctioneers
Est: £80- £120
£750 Bids
A 9ct gold locket with engraved decoration, on a 9…
Feb 23, 9:00 AM GMT
A 9ct gold locket with engraved decoration, on a 9…
by Claydon Auctioneers
Est: £120- £150
£1200 Bids
Victorian silver oval locket with engraved floral …
Feb 23, 9:00 AM GMT
Victorian silver oval locket with engraved floral …
by Claydon Auctioneers
Est: £50- £60
£460 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Lockets


Claydon Auctioneers

Claydon Auctioneers

Leonard Joel

Leonard Joel

Lugosi Auctioneers & Valuers

Lugosi Auctioneers & Valuers

Berner's Auction Gallery

Berner's Auction Gallery