American School (Late 18th Century), 14K Gold Cased Mourning Locket with Two Figures and Cupid

Watercolor and hair on natural wafer, the scene depicting a mourning couple standing beside a garland draped monument with two doves surmounting, a figure of cupid flies overhead holding a wreath, presented behind glass within an oval gold bracelet locket with scalloped borders and beaded trim, engraved stylized wreath motif en verso, mounted with bail and brooch pin. Gold case is unmarked, acid testing 14K.

Locket 1 7/8 x 1 1/2 in.

.55 total gross troy oz.

Included with the Lot is the newspaper record of the purchase in 2009, indicating the piece was once owned by Floyd County, Virginia resident Virginia Harvey Sharpe.

Literature: For similar examples, see Robin Jaffee Frank, Love and Loss: American Portrait and Mourning Miniatures, pages 109-153.

Locket case with area of loose solder repair to upper edge; a few small areas of the painted wafer with age crackle; bail and pin probably later enhancements.

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