Have you met Victoriana?

Victorian Heart Locket with Brilliants

Lockets are the ultimate gift of love, adoration and romance, in my opinion!

Lockets have been around for centuries, a vessel to hold a precious keepsake or memento. The Victorian Era, however, more than any period, brought lockets into vogue and the lockets from the Victorian period are some of my most beloved.

My fascination for the Victorian Era commenced with my first prized locket of that epoch. So I did a little sleuthing on the era ... turns out Prince Albert and Queen Victoria shared an ardent love for one another. They had nine children in their 21 years of marriage (wow and wow on both counts)  and with each birth, Victoria was presented with a tiny locket filled with a snippet of the infant’s hair and inscribed with the birthdate. I love this idea, don't you? This thoughtful and lovely tradition would be a beautiful way to celebrate the birth of a baby today. 

Aesthetic Design Locket

Some of the most ornate and fabulous lockets span throughout Victorian times. In a variety of shapes, there are oval puffy lockets that contain glass inserts holding delightful antique photographs. There is also the secret compartment locket that held a photograph or token sequestered within a hidden door in the back. Mourning lockets, also known as funeral lockets became prevalent especially after the Prince passed away because the Queen went into an extensive period of mourning. The lockets were given when a loved one passed away as a token of remembrance. Some lockets contain braided hair, which was a Victoriana art form.

Since the Victorian Era spanned so many decades the designs were varied. Popular were lockets decorated in Etruscan revival style, taille d’epargne enameling, those set with agates, adorned with attractive monogramming, or buckle motif, set with pearls, turquoise, diamonds or paste. In addition, the appealing aesthetic movement was a popular theme with delightful Japanese nature motifs and birds; many were in sterling silver.

Taille d'Epargne Enameled Locket

There was much symbolism contained as well. For example pearls were symbolic of tears; the buckle for strength and protection; the garter symbol which exhibited loyalty and brotherhood; the fleur-de-lis, a stylized flower, is the symbol of light and hope, also meaning trinity; ivy for everlasting life; the wreath a symbol of victory.

Fleur de Lys Locket

I have been blessed to have a diverse selection of Victorian lockets over the years. Always a thrill to discover, each locket is unique and special. A perfect gift for a loved one, lockets are evermore timeless treasures. How can you resist any one of these beauties?  xo

Remembrance Locket with Pearls

For a selection of Victorian and other lockets please visit my Etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/shop/MiladyLinden/search?search_query=lockets&order=date_desc&view_type=gallery&ref=shop_search

Treasured keepsakes... a connection to the past

Home Sweet Home Vintage Celluloid Brooch

Nostalgia is defined as “a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in one’s life, to one’s home or homeland, or to one’s family and friends; a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time”.

There can be comfort in the past… an collectible or even a scent can elicit a special memory The smell of a freshly baked apple pie , for example, can transport you back to your Grandma’s kitchen! 

Over the years of selling online, many customers have informed me they purchased an item because of its connection with the past. The collectible, a reminder of a place, time or person, a tie binding their heartstrings. 

Charms that spell LOVE!

So often a customer relays the message “Oh, this brooch reminds me of my grandmother” or “My mother had a charm just like this when I was growing up”.  Or sadly they owned a piece and it was lost, they are so grateful to find it once again. Collectibles are so nostalgic! Treasured keepsakes.

During my childhood, our family spent summer weekends at a relative’s home. Recently, I drove through the area and a nearby factory emitted an odor that took me back in time. I found myself driving down the street just to look at the house where we had formed such happy memories, my relatives, however, long gone from the home.

My grandmother was not really a saver; my mother relates how she threw everything away because she did not want any clutter, oh Grammy I am not like you! Still, I am lucky to have a few of her treasures: her silverware, the monogrammed initial “S” mirroring my own married surname. As she aged, she instructed me to pick out something special for myself so she could witness my enjoyment! I choose a Hummel, and that figurine evokes remembrance of my sweet and loving grandmother.

Sometimes a certain collectible embodies a loved one. A customer who grew up in the United States but now resided in France purchased an antique compact as an affectionate memento her of her beloved mother and a military item that represented her father. Both her parents had passed and I was glad to provide the tokens of sentimentality and interested to hear her stories that connected with her past.

Vintage compact set

Nostalgic tokens can preserve a cherished memory. What memento do you possess that provides reminiscence?

This laughing bunny reminds me of my late mother-in-law

For a collection of sentimental tokens pictured above and more please go to my ETSY shop:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MiladyLinden?ref=hdr_shop_menu

The charm of vintage charms

You + Me = Love Sterling Charm

Sterling Puffy Heart I Love U!

I Love You Key Ring Sterling Charm

Sterling Padlock Heart Charm

My love affair with vintage sterling charms was serendipitous! On a day trip to Chautauqua Lake, there was an antique store ... the kind you can while away hours with case after case of treasures.  

And, there it was! A 1940's charm bracelet chock full of mechanical charms. I was enchanted; amongst the sweet charms were a candy box opening to reveal faux chocolate candy, hat box with hat, a black forest cuckoo clock, birthday cake with candles that popped up.  

The charms piqued my curiosity, I read and learned about these fascinating charms which were all the rage during World War II Era.  Perhaps a memento enclosed within a letter from a sweetheart taking months to arrive, so unlike the instantaneous communication of today. Just imagine how patient a gal would have to be while waiting for that priceless note! And, just envision the whimsical delight of receiving a puffy heart or a mechanical charm such as one of the charms pictured! 

For generations charm bracelets have been worn by women to signify important or memorable occasions. These tiny keepsakes become historical family heirlooms which are passed down. They share personal stories of beliefs, hobbies, interest, love as well as travel memorabilia. 

Its hard for me to resist vintage charms! Isn't it easy to see how I adore these charms of yesteryear?  xo

Please click to view vintage charms in my Etsy shop:  https://www.etsy.com/your/listings?shipping_profile_id=&search_query=vintage+love+charms