✅ SOLVED Can YOU help with dating this find? Dug from my new site last night..

[DownEast_Detecting]

Just located this old house foundation site on a wooded section of my property. The house is on the oldest topo map I can find from my area, which is 1896. But by the 1900 topo map, its been removed and doesn’t reappear on any other map past 1900. So I’m assuming it was a pretty old house. I just located it last night with 30 mins of light left. I dug 2 targets, one produced this locket.



I was pretty excited once I realized it was a locket. Since it seems to be sealed, i got my hopes up that whatever is inside might still be intact. Until I found that tiny hole, I’m assuming if water can get in. Then a photo probably wouldn’t survive?

Can anyone date this thing for me? Or have you dug up or seen anything similar?

I’m assuming it’s some sort of brass or bronze mix from the green patina??

Has anyone found one with the photo intact?

Also I’m so new to all this... how would someone suggest cleaning this thing? I’m assuming if it was cleaned up more, I could see more of a pattern or maker marks if they are there. So all I have been doing as of now. Is running my finds under the kitchen sink with warm water. To remove any mud or dirt. Obviously I didn’t want to do that with this item, because I’m nervous I’ll get water inside the locket. But I’ve seen so many different theories on cleaning things.

Dry only, clean with toothbrush or other small brush

Soaking methods- everything from vinegar to linseed oil. Submerged anywhere from an hour to 30 days

And still others say that you NEVER clean up finds that you have dug up. For fear of damaging the item or removing patina from it.

I’d like to clean it up a little. To see if there are patterns or any other clues I can’t see as it is. But I would also like to keep the patina. I’m nervous to open it, but obviously will soon.

Also I wasn’t sure if this was the right section to post in. I mean I know it’s a locket but besides that. I know nothing about the age, value, style, etc... I thought there was another section for posts that know the identity but need more info. But I couldn’t find it, so maybe it was on another site.

Thanks

 

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[pa-dirt_nc-sand]

I have found similar lockets at late 1800’s early 1900’d sites. I personally would try to pry it open to see if something (like a small silver coin) is hiding inside. You’re correct in that typical pictures are dissolved by time, water and dirt, but their could be an engraving. I would also consider using Andres pencils or maybe scotch bright pad on the outside or a wooden skewer and crush one end to create a tool to rub the crust off. Maybe something cool on the outside. But, most likely it is a basic locket and if you cherish it the way it is, leave it alone. The above mentioned approached will most likely damage it and remove the old patina. Probably no value (Unless the silver or GOLD coin is hidden inside) Congrats!

 

[DCMatt]

I have found similar lockets at late 1800’s early 1900’d sites. I personally would try to pry it open to see if something (like a small silver coin) is hiding inside. You’re correct in that typical pictures are dissolved by time, water and dirt, but their could be an engraving. I would also consider using Andres pencils or maybe scotch bright pad on the outside or a wooden skewer and crush one end to create a tool to rub the crust off. Maybe something cool on the outside. But, most likely it is a basic locket and if you cherish it the way it is, leave it alone. The above mentioned approached will most likely damage it and remove the old patina. Probably no value (Unless the silver or GOLD coin is hidden inside) Congrats!

Agree. Late Victorian/Early Edwardian floral locket.

 

[invent4hir]

DownEast, very cool locket! Agree with gently cleaning the exterior to see if it reveals any more detail. After doing so, I shake the locket a few times before attempting to pry it open to see if you hear/feel anything rattling inside besides dirt. If you decide to pry it open, consider doing so only enough to peek inside. Any further and it could break the hinge and the locket will be in at least 2 pieces - not to mention the damage to the exterior. Good luck!

 

[invent4hir]

DownEast, as progress is made please post update(s).

 

[DownEast_Detecting]

DownEast, as progress is made please post update(s).

I did some dry brush cleaning last night. I’ll post some new pics when I get home later today. And I think I’ll try to gently pry it open as well. Thanks for all your help and info guys. Stay tuned...

 

[DownEast_Detecting]

Well this is what it looks like now. Not to much of a difference. Before I starting cleaning it I could totally see the resemblance to the flower locket pictured above. After cleaning it, I’m starting to think it’s just a plain locket with no design or patterns. And the “pattern” of corrosion is what made it look like it had a decoration. But I could be wrong. Of course the biggest disappointment was when I opened it. Absolutely nothing inside, not even a fragment of an old photo.



So I’m assuming without any visible patters, designs or makers marks the quest for a more accurate date is over?
I should just accept it’s a plain Jane locket from the Victorian/Edwardian time period and put a green check mark on this post?

 

[eyemustdigtreasure]

VERY cool locket...!
Not in bad enough shape to have damaged everything inside,
like a picture or perhaps a bit of braided hair...or a coin...!
Anyway, super careful cleaning, by removing all the crud at the
contact point, of the two halves of the locket - be sure that the hinge
survives...! Good luck...!

 

[Older The Better]

There could be markings under the crud. Naval jelly will clean it pretty good without damaging any faint markings. But I wouldn’t recommend if you want to preserve the patina.

 

[invent4hir]

DownEast, don't be too disappointed as you managed to open it up the whole way w/o breaking the hinge Yes, things would've been better to find part of a picture or something else inside and/or have a more decorative outside, but this way you can leave it to your imagination. Keep detecting...

 

[DownEast_Detecting]

Thank you all for the help and info!!!