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Mourning Buckles
Sentimental Hairwork Buckles
Mourning Buckles
Mourning Buckles

Sentimental Hairwork Buckles

Datec. 1870
Object NameBuckle
Mediummetal, hair, glass
ClassificationsFashion and Dress
DimensionsOverall: Length: 3.6 cm, Height: 1.9 cm width:0.4 cm
AcquisitionThe Leslie Thomson Bequest.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS000692
About MeA pair of oval shaped buckles featuring engraved borders around a glass covered central reserve which contains plaited human hair.

The notion of keeping physical mementos of a person, dead or alive, is thousands of years old. Using a lock of hair in a remembrance piece has been popular for many centuries. However, pieces of jewellery containing intricate patterns made from hair began to appear during the 17th century.

The craft of hairwork jewellery really took off in the 19th century as the fashion for sentimental jewellery grew.

It is unknown whether these buckles were worn as a sentimental token of love or for mourning.