English c.1890–1900 silver double-sided floral enamel photo locket set with pastes

This English photo locket from c.1890–1900 is crafted in silver and set with pastes, decorated on both sides with exceptional enamel work.

The front shows a hand-painted enamel bouquet: red-orange roses, soft pink-violet daisies, forget-me-nots. Each flower is painted stroke by stroke in extremely thin layers of fired enamel, without visible build-up, so the colors appear fused directly into the surface. This demanding technique requires precise firing control—every enamel hue melts at a different temperature, and each brushstroke is final—making such a richly colored panel a testament to time and mastery.

The reverse displays guilloché enamel, combining mechanical precision with a craftsman’s touch. Fine engine-turned patterns, cut by hand on a lathe, are covered with a translucent purple enamel; when light passes through, the engraved geometry shimmers beneath the surface. Even with repeated motifs, the play of light and the hand-cut lines ensure that no two pieces are ever identical.

The locket is in good antique condition, with normal oxidation and wear. Both sides show light surface scratches, though the enamel decoration remains intact. As condition assessments are subjective, please click and enlarge our photos to examine details more closely before making your evaluation.