Victorian Silver Daffodil Locket
An attractive Victorian locket in sterling silver with breath-taking engraved details to the front and back. A daffodil sits pride of place at the centre, wonderfully detailed, within a gothic-celtic style border; the back displays more abstract adornment with scrolls and floral motifs. It's generously sized, with the original silver fittings still present inside along with the original glazing.
Per the Victorian Language of Flowers (aka Floriography), the daffodil represented 'regard' - a sentiment you'll be acquainted with if you're versed in Victorian affectionate parlance. In the 18th and 19th centuries, “regard” was the polite word for an attachment that could be friendship, esteem or love. It never said which, and that vagueness made it... useful... as a gift word. Webster’s 1828 dictionary shows its range. As a verb, “regard” meant to hold someone in respect and affection, and one sense is simply “to love and esteem”. As a noun, it meant respect, esteem or reverence arising from someone’s admirable qualities. Webster also records an older sense, “look; aspect directed to another,” somewhat more like today's understanding of the word but, by then, 1828, nearly obsolete.
Jane Austen shows how the word worked in practice: In 'Sense and Sensibility' (1811), Elinor believes Edward’s regard is mutual. Yet the longer they are together, the less sure she is what kind of regard it is, and at times she thinks it no more than friendship. When Elinor admits only to esteeming him, Marianne mocks her as cold-hearted. Their mother says she has never been able to separate esteem from love. So “regard” was the vocabulary of attachment before anyone dared to declare it.
Era: Victorian, circa 1870
Size: 6.8cm by 4.0cm (including bail)
Marks: None, tested as sterling silver
Condition: Great antique condition; original fittings present both sides, and glazing to one side.
Full appraisal document provided with each item.
This includes a valuation for insurance purposes, item specifics, date, and origins (where applicable).
Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain).
Shipping
DHL Express shipping is free of charge on international orders over £300 and it's carbon offset
Tracked and insured with signature on delivery
RM Special Delivery (UK domestic)
US Shipments
US Customs no longer charges a 10% tariff on antiques shipped from the UK. We will ensure that our parcels are correctly declared using the relevant HTS codes to qualify for the tariff exemption and zero-rated (0%) duties so you won't have any customs fees to pay at the border. You will remain liable for any handling/storage fees charged by DHL as a result of a delay in providing any additional customs information.
[Last updated: September 2026]
Resizing
Ring sizing is available on most rings
£55 flat fee
Resizing takes 7-14 days
Leave a note at checkout with your desired size
Note: sizing may remove some of the patina (although we take every care to reduce this where possible)
Layaway
25% deposit taken to secure the item. The remaining balance will be settled in 90 days. You can pay installments weekly, monthly, or the full balance at the end - whatever works.
Condition
We offer detailed and accurate condition reports on each listing. These pieces are antique, vintage, or pre-loved and often over 100 years old so they're going to have lived a life. A healthy patina and the odd scuff or scrape is quite normal... it's part of their charm! Everything we present has been checked over by our jeweller and should be good for wear for many years to come (unless otherwise stated) but please remember to treat them with appropriate care and consideration for their age.
Buying a Gift?
Leave a note at checkout and we'll include a handwritten note to the recipient. Just tell us what you'd like to say :)
More Questions?
Get in touch... There's a live chat at the bottom right of the page.
info@lostowl.com