Locket

Art Historical Context

Nestled in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, delicate locket from 1706 exemplifies the intimate artistry of colonial America. Crafted by an unknown artist gold, human hair, and crystal, measures a petite 9/16 x 13/16 inches (1.4 x 2.1 cm). Such miniature jewels were prized personal treasures, often worn close to the heart as pendants or brooches. In the early 18th century,ets like this served as poignant memorials, enclosing a lock of a loved one's hair—typically from a deceased family member—beneath a protective crystal cover. The gold frame, meticulously worked, highlight...