Rare Austro-Hungarian silver locket pendant with natural pearls
by famous maker Hermann Ratzersdorfer of Vienna C.1880.
Austro-Hungarian Empire seized to exist in 1918 after WWI.
Austro-Hungarian jewelers are famous for their love for seed pearls.

This locket brags dozens and dozens of tiny natural seed pearls and larger pearls.
It designed of shape of a shield wrapped with wreath of leaves.

The locket feature multi-tier front with a coronet set in the center.
It has a central old mine cut diamond surrounded with tiny seed pearls.
The coronet sits on filigree medallion also embellished with seed pearls.
The medallion in turn sits on top of hand cut open work filigree plate
with elaborate foliage patterns.

Meticulously carved leaves wrapping the shield.
They are adorned with yet more seed pearls.

The locket is completed with two 6-mm natural pearls on left and right and
wide bail adorned with seed pearls.

The back of the locket is covered with bezeled clear crystal.

The whole pendant is 2 1/8” high 1 7/16” wide including the bail.
The bail is quite large to accommodate a chain or seed pearl necklace.

There are a few hallmarks. One is a lion with letter A for Vienna and number 4
indicating Austro-Hungarian 750 silver.
There is another stamp letter A and a maker’s mark appearing HR, or
Hermann Ratzersdorfer, a famous Vienna silversmith.

Total weight is 14.2 grams.

No pearls or seed pearls are missing.
Excellent antique condition.

The antique silver chain shown for display only.