A truly extraordinary piece of history — an 18ct gold military locket crafted in Paris circa 1810, at the very height of Napoleon Bonaparte's empire. The front bears a finely embossed high-relief portrait of Napoleon in full military regalia, a format widely used during the First Empire to commemorate and celebrate the Emperor. The craftsmanship is exceptional: the portrait is rendered with remarkable detail and authority, a testament to the skill of early 19th-century Parisian goldsmiths working at the peak of their art.

The locket opens via a concealed sliding mechanism to reveal two circular compartments with inner rings — originally intended for miniature portraits or handwritten notes, the intimate keepsakes of the era. Originally designed as a watch fob, it is equally wearable today as a pendant of singular historical character.

Napoleonic gold jewellery and memorabilia of this quality and provenance is increasingly rare on the open market. A remarkable acquisition for the serious collector or the lover of history.

The Details

• Circa: 1810, Paris
• Metal: 18ct gold
• Weight: 21.6g
• Diameter: 2.7cm
• Hallmark: 18ct
• Mechanism: Concealed sliding opening, two interior compartments