Victorian "Many Happy Returns" Locket mother of pearl with green leaves and yellow

with green leaves and yellow centres - the level of detail is superb

9g (pair)

possibly converted from a stick pin

It's crafted in niello silver

Victorian "Many Happy Returns" Locket mother of pearl with green leaves and yellowDATE: Victorian, c. 1900 A sweet antique locket offering the greeting "Many Happy Returns of the Day". Essentially offering hope that the happy day being marked would recur many more times, the salutation can be traced back as far as the 1710s when it's thought the "returns" part referred to "yield" or "profit. Certainly prior to the mid 19th century it appears to have been used at any celebration or festive event, not just birthdays. The locket is 9k