A beautiful heart-shaped golden locket, personally presented by Queen Victoria to her granddaughter who remained unmarried throughout her life, is anticipated to achieve a price of approximately £2,500 in an upcoming auction. This exquisite piece of royal jewellery was bestowed upon the monarch's goddaughter, Princess Helena Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein, as a heartfelt gift in the year 1896.
Royal Lineage and Personal Connection
Princess Helena Victoria, who lived from 1870 to 1948, was renowned for her extensive charitable endeavours. She was the daughter of Princess Helena, who herself was the third daughter and fifth child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The younger Helena was affectionately known as Thora, a name that is delicately inscribed on the locket given to her by her grandmother.
Design and Inscription Details
The locket features a single, cushion-cut diamond set prominently at its centre, adding a touch of elegance and sparkle. On the reverse side, an inscription reads: 'To Thora from her Godmother Victoria, 1896.' This personal message highlights the close bond between the queen and her granddaughter. Notably, Queen Victoria passed away just five years after presenting this meaningful gift.
Historical Provenance and Preservation
The locket is preserved in its original purple silk velvet case from Fraser and Haw's, accompanied by a collection of letters that provide further context and history related to the item. Princess Helena Victoria never entered into marriage, instead dedicating her life to philanthropic work, particularly with organisations such as the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) and Princess Christian's Nursing Home at Windsor.
Auction History and Current Sale
Previously, the locket was sold by the parish churches of Bathwick St Mary and St John the Baptist on October 21st, 1978, as part of a fundraising effort for the Wells Cathedral Appeal Fund. It was purchased by the father of the current vendor at that time. Now, the locket is being offered for sale by London-based Sloane Street Auctions later this month, with a guide price ranging between £1,500 and £2,000.
Expert Commentary on the Auction
Daniel Hunt, the founder and CEO of Sloane Street Auctions, remarked: 'These sort of pieces would have been a natural fit for Christie's South Kensington in its day. However, now that it has ceased operations, we find that consignors tend to come to us. We are delighted to play our part in maintaining the tradition of higher-end works coming to London beyond the confines of Bond Street and St James.' He added, 'It is also a happy coincidence that our auctioneer, Hugh Edmeades, was formerly the chairman of Christie's South Kensington.'
