Victorian "Many Happy Returns" Locket mother of pearl possibly converted from a stick

possibly converted from a stick pin

An astounding pair of carved emerald birds dating from the turn of the 20th Century

4mm (not including bail)

including emerald

It's crafted in niello silver

Victorian "Many Happy Returns" Locket mother of pearl possibly converted from a stickDATE: Victorian, c. 1900 A sweet antique locket offering the greeting "Many Happy Returns of the Day". Essentially offering hope that the happy day being marked would recur many more times, the salutation can be traced back as far as the 1710s when it's thought the "returns" part referred to "yield" or "profit. Certainly prior to the mid 19th century it appears to have been used at any celebration or festive event, not just birthdays. The locket is 9k