Old Jewelry HELP needed

[we...@interpath.com]

I have a unique pendant that I need help with.

It is an oval 2 inches by 2 1/2 inches. The front is flat, and is glass.
The back convex and the whole unit appears to be made of brass or gold
plate. Inside the pendant is a hand painted portrait of a man in what
appears to be colonial era (I'm no expert on this) dress. The most
unique thing is a small oval glass window on the back, about 1
inch by 1/2 inch proportional to the overall shape of the pendant. The
window is obviously designed to allow light illumine the face from
behind. There is fine detail surrounding the smaller oval as well as the
larger oval in the front. The quality of the painted portrait is
excellent.

Can anyone tell me anything about this piece?

Are backlit portraits on glass like this common?

Thanks for your help.

[Veronica (Ronnie) Wexler]

In article <weeks-27129...@weeks.pdial.interpath.net>,
we...@interpath.com wrote:

I don't think this pendant was intentionally "backlit". If it is a
pendant, meant to be worn, the skin or clothing would effectively block
out any light. I think this is a locket which held a lock of hair in the
back where the "window" appears to be, which would make it a memento of
someone. Are there any hallmarks on the piece which might help you date
it?

--
Ronnie Wexler
Wits' End Antiques, a member of The Internet Antique Shop (TIAS)
TIAS gets over 20,000 hits a day - we must be doing something right!
http://www.tias.com/antiques; http://www.tias.com/witsend