Antique Victorian Butterfly Metamorphosis two sided locket with hair, gold filled and beveled glass

This beautiful locket is filled with treasures and symbolism. The butterfly represents metamorphosis, some kind of life  change.. Butterflies are symbolic of the soul breaking free of the  contraints of the physical body as they fly upward towards the heavens. Sometimes they represented a different life change. For example, a girl becoming a woman can be compared to the catipillar that  transforms into a beautiful butterfly. Butterflies were also used in love tokens, as this one may have been. All these life events are veiled in the mystery of nature. 

The one side features a tiny butterfly against a background of golden blonde hair. The other side has tiny colorful flowers against a background of brilliant blue butterfly wing, with is quite iridescent and flashes with light. The frame is gold filled with no visible wear to the edge and is hand engraved with a floral pattern. At the top we see a tiny flathead screw where the locket could be accessed, however this is not recommended as the contents, which have been protected for over a century would shift. The glass is in excellent condition and is beveled.