Victorian 19 th Century Locket Back 'MARY' Brooch with Shepherdess Design

This original Victorian brooch is unmarked sterling silver but dates from the 1880's. The round brooch has a traditional 'ball' effect pattern all around the rim with the engraved picture of  'Mary'  from the beloved nursery rhyme "Mary Had A Little Lamb" on a raised central plinth. Mary holding her crook and dressed in a mob cap and shift is seen looking over a fence. The Victorians adored puzzles and also loved a name pin- so you can see this would have appealed to them!  This delightful brooch is further enhanced by an engraved leaf border design. To the reverse there is a glazed locket compartment to contain a lock of hair or tiny portrait too.  This wonderful brooch fastens with an old-fashioned 'c' type clasp.  It is just about 1.5 inches in diameter. Offered in really great condition this is a rare and desirable piece. I haven't cleaned it as the aged patina can be desirable to some collectors. It would,however, buff up nice and shiny with the use of a silver cloth.

It is lovely to collect sentimental jewellery and this 'Mary' brooch would fit nicely into a collection or maybe would make a wonderful gift for MARY!