A gorgeous, large, likely late Victorian 9ct 'back and front' locket with a diamond starburst to the centre. This is a substantial size and weight and hangs beautifully.
The term 'back and front' is used to describe antique lockets that have a front and back made from gold, with the supporting frame of the locket and the hinges made from a base metal. Often it's said that they were made in this way to give strength and longevity to a piece but it's very likely it was also used to provide lockets in a more cost effective way.
Inside the locket is a hand painted portrait of a young man wearing an HMS Owl hat. HMS Owl is a former Navy air base built in 1941 (slap bang in the middle of WW2) in the Scottish Highlands. The control tower still stands has recently been converted into a luxury residential property.