Metal - Locket

An antique Victorian sterling silver locket pendant of oval form, the front decorated with chased floral and foliate ornament. The reverse bears a full set of English silver hallmarks comprising the Birmingham anchor assay mark and the lion passant sterling purity mark; a maker's stamp is also present and has been tentatively read as that of Alfred James Cheshire of Birmingham, though the date letter is worn to the point of illegibility and the maker attribution cannot be confirmed with certainty. The piece weighs 15.8 g and measures 7 cm in overall height including the bail, with the pendant body itself 5 cm tall. Condition is Good: there is a slight crushing or dent to the back of the pendant body, visible on close inspection of the reverse and disclosed here as a material defect; the silver displays a patina consistent with age. No repairs or restorations have been identified.