1840s Engraved Locket with Daguerreotype Portrait, “Anna in memory of her Aunty”, $150
Here’s a beautiful early Victorian child’s locket with the words “Anna in memory of her Aunty” engraved on the front case. The back opens to reveal a silvery old daguerreotype portrait of a gentleman, which is odd considering the inscription. But both the locket and portrait appear to be of the same era, so perhaps the locket was a gift left to Anna when her Aunty died. But lacking a photograph of Aunty, Anna elected to have a photograph of her father placed inside. That’s my guess.
Inscriptions are great because they reveal a bit of history, but it seems like half the time they lend more confusion then clarity. My wedding band is engraved with “5 Merz 1821,” which I assume is March 5th, 1821. But what language is Merz?
“Merz” could be an old form of the German word “März” for march.