Victorian Gunmetal Locket with Coin Dispenser

A late 19th century Victorian locket with a inner coin dispenser and dramatically long 60 in original guard chain inset with rock crystal. Made primarily from a smokey matt darkened steel, this locket and guard chain is a rare example of what collectors call Victorian “gunmetal” jewelry. The locket case is inlaid with a rolled rose gold initial ‘M’, along with three tiny Persian turquoise cabochons.

Silky smooth and elegant, ‘gunmental’ steel jewelry–especially those with guard chains inset with crystals– have long been prized by collectors of antique jewelry made from unconventional materials. This type of jewelry has roots in the early 1800s cast iron jewelry made in Berlin. Considered unglamorous and dignified, ‘Berlin iron’ jewelry was originally intended for mourning, but became popular during 1813-15, when Prussia was in a war of resistance against Napoleon I’s French empire, and the affluent classes were asked to donate jewels and precious metals to aid the war effort. The wearing of the black cast iron jewelry was thus considered a sign of patriotic virtue and sacrifice, and became a substitute of sorts for fine jewelry during the war years.