Antique Georgian Witches heart poison locket, sterling silver

A rare antique Georgian, 18th century, Witches heart poison locket.

This witches heart has many of the design elements of the earlier 17th century pieces, the luckenbooth shape of the heart and the somewhat primitive construction and design.

At this time the witches heart was worn as a protective amulet to ward off evil spirits, the heart is hollow and it opens up at the front with a small lift up panel which is set with a hand carved rock crystal.

The compartment is deep, indicating that this would have been a poison locket or on a more positive note it may have held a herb or tincture of some kind, perhaps to aid in its protective powers even further.

Later on the witches heart became a symbol of being bewitched by love and lockets held a keepsake or memento.

The crystal appears to have had some type of backing at some point but this is very worn, the locket has an integral bale in the shape of a heart which can swivel all the way around and the locket can be worn either side.

A beautiful early piece of jewellery, enriched with symbolism and enchantment.

It is Unmarked, tests as sterling silver.

It was possibly part of a larger piece of jewellery in the past such as a necklace but it works great as a locket with a nice antique long chain.

Condition:
Fair used condition overall, some age commensurate wear and signs of use, surface wear and minor scratches, plenty of aged patina, wear at the back of the rock crystal, small opening in the silver near the hinge

Approx measurements:
0.62" width
1.55" length including the bale
0.53" depth

Weighs approx 5.38 grams

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