Victorian Witch's Heart Locket

A Victorian-era witch’s heart locket, beautifully made in 15k gold, and attributed to the jewelers Child & Child. Our bewitched heart’s glossy, red, guilloche enamel center features a subtle diamond shaped guilloche pattern. It is encircled by a slim band of white enamel, and this border is decorated with charming gold polka dots. The heart’s reverse has a lift-out, glazed, locket compartment, meant to hold a lock of hair, a photograph, or another small ephemeral object. The locket’s original decorative bail is enameled to match its red center. A small piece of silk holds space inside the locket compartment. This is a rare and wonderful jewel— its red and white color way calls the queen of hearts to mind.  A witch's heart is a heart shape that is formed with its point curved to one side— originally worn as an amulet to protect the wearer from "witches," this heart with a curved tail came to be a symbol of a "bewitched heart." Witch's hearts would be given as gifts to one's beloved