WWI era double-sided pendant locket featuring an Australian soldier

c. 1915
Overview

World War One era double-sided, circular pendant 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, with the rising sun collar badges visible on the lapels.
The surrounds of the pendant comprise five gold ivy leaves on semicircular pieces of gold wire which attach to the edge of the locket with gold balls.
Between the leaves are two blue stones and a single white pearl held by gold claws. There would have been a second pearl, but this has been lost. The brooch was in pieces when acquired and has been repaired by a jeweller.
There is a gold spherical fixture at the top which has an affixed loop through which a chain could be threaded.
The young woman on the reverse is formally dressed and has her hair pulled under her broad brimmed hat, held in place by a hat pin. The hat is decorated with a flower and leaves. There is lace detail on her white collar. Her dress appears to be of darker material with white polka dots
The circular gold surrounds hold the portraits in place. A thin piece of glass covers each photograph.
There are no hallmarks or maker's marks.

Historical information

The identity of the soldier and the young woman and their relationship to one another is unknown. Photo lockets, pendants and brooches were very popular during wartime and there are a large number of them in the collection.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-119-RoW00568
Width
40 mm
Height or length
45 mm
Depth
2 mm
Year
Primary significance criteria
Artistic or aesthetic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Last modified
Friday, 4 July, 2025
Completeness
94
Recollections of War

Recollections of War

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WWI era decorative double-sided pendant locket featuring an Australian soldier and young woman
WWI era decorative double-sided pendant locket showing Australian soldier
WWI era decorative double-sided pendant locket showing young woman wearing hat
WWI era decorative double-sided pendant locket showing young woman wearing hat

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