Mid to late Victorian gold filled Bookchain necklace with Vulcanite Mourning Locket j-nlvc543

Mid to late Victorian gold filled Bookchain necklace with Vulcanite Mourning Locket and original photograph inside. The hinged top of the locket features a hand holding a wreath. Lift the wreath and you will see a photo of a beloved mother or grandmother from years ago. You can imagine the wearer keeping the image against her heart! There are two different book chain styles in this necklace. The top chain measures 19" long and 13/32" wide and the small chain that links the locket to the necklace, including the locket is 5" long. The locket is 2-23/128 long by 1-1/2 inches wide. The locket and chains are in excellent condition. No cracks , breaks or chips are found on the locket. Death was a constant in Victorian era. The average lifespan was 40 – 45 years with high infant mortality rate. Cholera, typhoid, smallpox and scarlet fever were frequent killers. Mourning jewelry brought some solace to the survivors. Black mourning jewelry became fashionable when Queen Victoria’s husband, Albert, died in 1861. For the remainder of her reign, Victoria wore black dresses and mourning jewelry for the next 40 years.