Gate bracelets--link bracelets with a heart-shaped padlock closure--were a popular gift around the turn of the twentieth century.
English gate bracelet in 9k yellow gold, c. 1900. Currently available at Gray & Davis.
Traditionally, a gentleman would place the bracelet on the wrist of his paramour and lock the clasp with a matching key, thus ensuring that he was the only one able to open the "gate" to his lady love's heart.
The clasp on our gate bracelet functions quite well without it's key, so whoever wears it is able to to open and close their heart's gate according to their own free will.
