Locket
1871-1872 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The end of the Franco-Prussian war, in 1871, plunged France into depression. The devastation caused by the Paris Commune, the heavy reparations demanded by Prussia, and the loss of almost 15,000 square kilometres of territory, including Alsace and Lorraine, made the resumption of normal jewellery production seem frivolous. Instead many silversmiths turned their hands to patriotic jewellery.
This locket mourns the loss of Alsace-Lorraine. The two shields bear the coats of arms of the two regions, linked by the chains which now confined them. The ivy leaves stand for remembrance, and the anchor for hope. The broken edge of the plaque with the word ‘France’ is a visual expression of an incomplete and damaged nation. There could be no better souvenir to put on show at the International Exhibition in London in 1872 by the French Commissioners, where it was bought by the Museum for 17 shillings.
This locket mourns the loss of Alsace-Lorraine. The two shields bear the coats of arms of the two regions, linked by the chains which now confined them. The ivy leaves stand for remembrance, and the anchor for hope. The broken edge of the plaque with the word ‘France’ is a visual expression of an incomplete and damaged nation. There could be no better souvenir to put on show at the International Exhibition in London in 1872 by the French Commissioners, where it was bought by the Museum for 17 shillings.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Oxydised silver-plated metal, with plaques of enamelled gilt metal |
| Brief description | Oxydised silver-plated pendant commemorating the annexation of Alsace-Lorraine in 1871, France, 19th century. |
| Physical description | Pendant locket made from cast, oxydised silver-plated metal set with gilt metal enamel plaques. The front of the main section is decorated with an openwork pattern of leaves and scrolls surrounding two oval enamelled plaques bearing the arms of Alsace and Lorraine. Above them are two crowns, and a small circular plaque enamelled with the monogram AL. Beneath the oval plaques is a rectangular enamelled plaque, with the top left corner deliberately broken away, with the enamelled name 'France'. A hollow pendant ball hangs from the lower edge, with a looped chain on each side. The locket has a hinged glass compartment at the back, and hangs from a matching element, shaped like an anchor entwined with two leaves, with a heavy double loop at the back. |
| Dimensions |
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| Historical context | Made to commemorate the loss of Alsace-Lorraine after the Franco-Prussian War in 1871. The production of such jewellery was reported in The Queen at the time as follows: 4/11/1871. p.291 Paris fashions. There is also a new piece of jewellery called the Alsace-Lorraine ring. It is composed of a wreath of ivy and forget-me-not, wrought in gold, and holding the enamelled escutcheons of the two provinces. Sleeve buttons are likewise made to match. 7/9/1872. p.192 Paris fashions. Oxydised silver chatelaines with the arms of Alsace and Lorraine, with sleeve studs to match. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Places depicted | |
| Summary | The end of the Franco-Prussian war, in 1871, plunged France into depression. The devastation caused by the Paris Commune, the heavy reparations demanded by Prussia, and the loss of almost 15,000 square kilometres of territory, including Alsace and Lorraine, made the resumption of normal jewellery production seem frivolous. Instead many silversmiths turned their hands to patriotic jewellery. This locket mourns the loss of Alsace-Lorraine. The two shields bear the coats of arms of the two regions, linked by the chains which now confined them. The ivy leaves stand for remembrance, and the anchor for hope. The broken edge of the plaque with the word ‘France’ is a visual expression of an incomplete and damaged nation. There could be no better souvenir to put on show at the International Exhibition in London in 1872 by the French Commissioners, where it was bought by the Museum for 17 shillings. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1251-1873 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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