The Greek key, or meander, design takes it's moniker from the Meander river in what was Ancient Greece and is now modern day Turkey. The river's serpentine path was considered a symbol of infinity and the eternal flow of life, the tidy geometric pattern named for the river is an important motif in Ancient Greek art and architecture. Symbols of eternity are frequently seen decorating symbol-laden, romantic Victorian era jewelry i.e. the ouroboros, the garter or belt, the Greek key. This heavy gold book locket dates to the 1870s and features book straps rendered with a Greek key pattern as well as fine foliate engraving. The sides are engraved with lines to emulate the look of pages and the base closes with a crisp book latch. This locket was designed to hold tintypes rather than paper photos so there is a significant recessed space behind the four frames.