Sentimental Hairwork Bracelet
Date1880-1910
Object NameBracelet
Mediumhuman hair, metal
ClassificationsJewellery
DimensionsLength: 17cm
Width: 1cm
Width: 1cm
AcquisitionPresented in 1980 by Miss E Cadenhead.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS071492
Keywords
The notion of keeping a physical memento 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.
Hairwork was more commonly worn as a love gesture but could also be worn for mourning if the hair used was that of the deceased.
More About Me
Yes, it is human hair! The practice of using human hair in such items was fashionable in the 19th century as demand for "sentimental jewellery" grew - sometimes as a love gesture, sometimes in mourning.
1860 - 1900
Probably 19th century
James Cromar Watt
c. 1860
1830s - 1840s
1830 - 1840s
1830 - 1840s
1928 - 1932
1920s
