WWI era double-sided locket featuring an Australian soldier and young woman

c. 1915
Overview

World War one era double-sided, oval-shaped locket containing the portraits of the head and shoulders of an Australian soldier on one side and a young woman on the other.
The soldier is dressed in uniform and wearing his slouch hat with chin strap. The rising sun collar badges are visible on the lapels of uniform.
The young woman is formally dressed and has her hair pulled back. There is embroidered detail on the collar and front of her dress. She is wearing a locket of similar design containing the image of a man, but it doesn't appear to be the same soldier as on the other side.
The oval surrounds are made from metal with gold plating. The words 'Rolled Gold' are impressed at the top of the locket. A thin piece of glass covers each photograph. There is a metal swivel attachment at the top for threading a chain through.
There is some wear to the gold plating, with some of the base metal visible.
The locket is kept within a dark blue velvet lined jeweller's box. It has a cream fabric upper inside lid with the maker's details in matching dark blue, a metal catch and a dark blue leather cover.

Historical information

Although the identity of the soldier and the young woman and their relationship to one another is unknown, the locket is believed to have come from the Mildura area of Victoria. Photo lockets were very popular during wartime and there are a large number of them in the collection.
Owen & Robinson Ltd, Goldsmiths & Jewellers was established as a company in 1801 in Leeds, West Yorkshire. It is not known if the box is original to the locket.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-119-RoW00488
Width
35 mm
Height or length
48 mm
Depth
8 mm
Inscriptions and markings

Impressed into top of locket surround:

"ROLLED GOLD"

On inside of box:

"Goldsmiths & Jewellers
Owen & Robinson LTD
LEEDS"

Place made
United Kingdom
Year
Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Rare or representative
Recollections of War

Recollections of War

Organisation Details
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WWI locket showing Australian soldier
WWI locket showing Australian soldier
WWI locket showing Australian soldier in jeweller's box
WWI locket showing Australian soldier in jeweller's box
Reverse of WWI locket showing young woman
Reverse of WWI locket showing young woman
Reverse of WWI locket showing young woman in jeweller's box
Reverse of WWI locket showing young woman in jeweller's box
Close-up of WWI locket showing 'Rolled Gold' mark at top
Close-up of WWI locket showing 'Rolled Gold' mark at top
WWI locket closed jewellery box
WWI locket closed jewellery box

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