Can anyone tell me about this locket?

[Wiggy]

I am wondering if there is writing in the black at the bottom of the inside of the frame - bottom of last photo?

Could be ivy Geoff  - wondered then saw the berries.  Still could be ivy though.

[3sillydogs]

I thought this one, but I'm not sure regarding the "Unicorn" but that looks to be the only difference.

Frank.

http://www.allposters.co.uk/-sp/The-Royal-Coat-of-Arms-of-Queen-Victoria-Posters_i1877551_.htm

and the Angel instead of the harp in the bottom left quadrant..

[jess5athome]

Strange how little things pop out the more you study something 

Frank.

[youngtug]

I think it is ivy. Also, if it was white gold then it would probably date from 1920 onwards, with a very slight possibillity of dating from 1911 onwards. Although only seeing a photo, it looks like silver to me.

[Wiggy]

Just looked carefully again . . .  definitely ivy - wrong leaves for holly aren't they!!      

Nell . . .  is it writing in the other half or the locket . . .  and if so, can you read it?

[Nell1707]

Hi guys
Thanks for your interest. The paper in the locket is glued in and I haven't tried to take it out. Neither have I tried to take out the photo of the man, as I'm scared to damage it, and not be able to replace it. But it might be worth the attempt. I'll have another look tonight. There is nothing written on the paper - I assumed it was the back of a photo which someone had tried to take out.
The locket is quite light and I've looked all over for a hallmark. I'm pretty sure it's not white gold. (I don't have luck like that!!!  ) but it could be silver.
Apparently ivy means fidelity in the language of flowers, which is why I thought it might have something to do with a wedding. But if the family were separated, it might have been a gift from a family member who stayed in France???
It's the coat of arms which really piques my interest though. Why is it there? What has it got to do with Amiens?? The treaty of Amiens was signed in 1802 to mark the end of the war between France and Britian. A nice connection to the markings on the locket, but what has that to do with a wee peasant family in Normandy??
Wiggy - I see what you mean about the possible writing at the bottom of the inside of the frame. I never noticed that before, so I'll check it out tonight. Thanks for the spot!

[Guy Etchells]

The Emblazon looks like the Royal Arms (Unicorns are sometimes shown without a horn viz James VI) When emphasising England rather than Scotland the Unicorn is on the left and the lion on the right.

However I cannot make out the motto to see if that is correct.

I wonder if it also contained a lock of hair at some time perhaps as a love token or possibly more likely a mourning locket.

Cheers
Guy

[Ruskie]

There appears to be an inner ring which secures the photo. Is it possible to carefully ease that up? On Antiques Roadshow they use something similar to a pen knife with a flat blade.

Is there glass over the photo?
 
A careful wipe with a cloth might remove some of the discolouration and show a hallmark - there should be one somewhere, though it may be behind the photo.

If you don't feel confident removing the paper or the photo if you have a well established jeweller in your area you might wish to ask their advice. I would not take it to a cheap jewellery chain though, rather one with a jeweller in residence. Having said that, it would be devastating if the photo was to tear no matter how careful someone was in trying to remove it.

[jess5athome]

On enlarging the photograph the motto looks to be the same as the one in the link on post number 8

Frank.