In 1859, the first micro-photographic lens was patented. It was called the Stanhope, and it was a HUGE fad in the Victorian era. The miniature lens was hidden inside all kinds of regular objects: pens, pipes, needle cases, thimbles... but the way to keep a precious secret close (literally) was to stash it in a piece of jewelry. At first glance, you wouldn't notice there's anything special about a Stanhope jewel. That's a good thing, because lots of the imagery was pornographic! This locket is on the tame side: it holds a chaste (and hard-to-photograph) image of a young woman. It must have been commissioned especially by a loved one.