Empress Elisabeth of Austria – a locket with a portrait and curls of hair, probably a personal gift from the Empress after the coronation, circa 1867 Painted in gouache and water colour, the portrait shows the Empress in Hungarian coronation regalia with diamonds and a crown. An extremely fine, cut-out cipher of the Empress engraved on the back in high-carat gold, below which delicately braided curls of hair (most likely from the Empress' own head). Under glass, in a magnificent medallion, both lids made of gold and intricately engraved with floral décor. Dimensions of the portrait 3.8 x 3 cm. Dimensions of the medallion, including the suspension ring 6.5 x 3.8 cm. Total weight 34 g. Exquisitely painted miniature and fine engraving. From a noble European estate. By all accounts, it was a personal gift from the Empress commemorating her coronation. A rare find. Condition: II