Skip to main content
Mourning Brooch
Sentimental Hairwork Brooch
Mourning Brooch
Mourning Brooch

Sentimental Hairwork Brooch

DateLate 19th century
Object NameBrooch
Mediumbrass, glass, hair
ClassificationsJewellery
DimensionsOverall (Height x Width x Depth): 18 × 24 × 2mm
AcquisitionThe Leslie Thomson Bequest.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS000701
About MeThis rectangular brooch features a glass covered reserve that contains plaited human hair, and is surrounded by a fluted edge and small engraved scroll border.

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 likely that this brooch was worn as a sentimental love token as it does not feature a black border, which was more common on hairwork brooches for mourning.