A V D, the gold initials so beautifully crafted and placed above the plaited dark blond hair within the cover glass - That and her profile is all we know about this young French woman. The timing is right for the French Revolution, c.1879 and after, and with the knowledge that the fish-women (femmes de pêcheurs) were the ones leading that famed assault on Versailles which ended in imprisonment of King Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, and deaths to many others, I have to wonder if this young woman figured into that day in history. Her clothing is more servant or tradeswoman than it is courtier. The bonnet and the high-waisted apron over flower-printed cotton, lack of jewelry, a slight defiance to her eyes. But then why the plaiting and the gold, which would have been quite a trick to afford for more common French families in those "let them eat cake" days*. The book in my head has her among the Versailles raiders that fateful May5, 1789, perhaps one who was martyred and celebrated for her soldiering. We'll never know. I haven't taken the locket apart to see if there is any more information for us within, out of her of dislodging all those little gold squiggles that frame in her hair, but her next owner might wish to. The glass is not convex, but is thick and has a neat bevel (visible in photos). Such a treasure with a certain history that intrigues!
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. No damage at all to convey. A little rub here or there on the very old gold (240 years or so). Measurements are noted on the photos: 2 1/4" x 2" oval plus the hanging bale. Her profile measures about 5/8" chin to top of her head. Charming start to finish on this one from my own collections.
