Substantial and splendid!
A rare victorian locket modelled as a pave set turquoise egg, the top decorated with a silver star set with old cut diamonds.
Wrapped around the outer edge of the egg is a gold snake, his body twisting to form the bail of the locket, his smiling head resting on the turquoise, his old cut diamond eyes twinkling.
 
The rear of the pendant has a glass locket panel that used to contain hair, but now is lined with blue silk. 
 
Snake and egg symbolism often represents creation, transformation, and the cosmos. The "Orphic Egg" is a symbol from ancient Greek tradition where the egg represents the universe or the soul, and the coiled serpent represents the creative spirit, eternal life, or the mysteries of the universe. This can also be interpreted as a process of spiritual or alchemical awakening, where the serpent guards the potential and latent wisdom within the egg, which is about to hatch into a new form. 
 
measures 37mm x 24mm
weighs - 15.7g
18 carat gold
English circa 1860 - 70
Excellent condition