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Hair Mourning Brooch
Sentimental Hairwork Bracelet
Hair Mourning Brooch
Hair Mourning Brooch

Sentimental Hairwork Bracelet

Date1860-1900
Object NameBracelet
Mediumhair, wood
ClassificationsJewellery
DimensionsDiameter: 8.5cm
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS071998
About MeThis human hair bracelet is made up of three tubes of plaited brown hair, which have then been twisted and joined together with a single wooden bead covered in brown hair. The bracelet fastens at one end with two thin plaits of brown hair, and at the end of each is a wooden bead covered in brown hair. The hair seems to have been stiffened, possibly with a wax substance.

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.