Large 18ct Gold Victorian Heart Shaped With Black Enamel & Natural Split Pearls “Forget Me Not” Flower By Edwin Streeter

This is a really impressive large 18ct75% pure gold (or 750 parts pure gold and 250 parts other metals) gold memorialTypically featuring skulls, urns and other symbols of death, these 16th-18th century jewels were inscribed with the names and dates of the deceased.  locket with black enamelA pigmented glass-like material used in powdered form and fused onto the metal surface of a piece of jewellery. and a motif on the front of a “Forget me not” flower set with naturalA natural stone is called such because it has not been subjected to any treatments.  split pearls.The top loop is also enamelled and set with pearls.

It was made by Edwin William Streeter (1834-1923) who worked for Harry Emanuel before setting up on his own account in 1867/8 in Conduit Street. He moved in 1873 to Harry Emanuel’s old premises in New Bond Street where he described himself as ‘DiamondA precious, lustrous gemstone made of highly compressed carbon. Diamonds are one of the hardest materials known to mankind. Colours of diamonds range from colourless, yellow, orange and brown to almost black. Natural coloured (or ‘fancy’) diamonds can be extremely rare. The cut, colour, clarity and carat weight of a diamond are the criteria jewellers use… merchant, Goldsmith, Jeweller, Watchmaker’. He took a particular interest in precious stones. Although he announced his retirement in 1884 and sold off much of his stock, he did not retire but admitted partners into his business which was now restyled Streeter & Co and became a limited liability company in 1895 as Streeter & Co Ltd.

By 1904 E W Streeter finally retired and the premises and goodwill were transferred to the United Investment Corporation and the remaining stock was sold at Christie’s.

This locket, made in 1874, is a good example from the early days in Streeter’s career.