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Mourning Portrait and Hair Brooch
Sentimental Portrait and Hairwork Brooch
Mourning Portrait and Hair Brooch
Mourning Portrait and Hair Brooch

Sentimental Portrait and Hairwork Brooch

Date1840 - 1900
Object NameBrooch
Mediumpinchbeck, paper, glass, hair, pearls
ClassificationsJewellery
DimensionsHeight: 6cm
Width: 5.2cm
Depth: 1cm
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS071999
About MeThis brooch features a central oval disk with a metal frame, that can be pivoted within the decorative ring to reveal each side. One side features a portrait of a bearded gentleman, the other a hairwork picture with scrolled blonde hair and seed pearls. The decorative frame features scrolls and leaf designs. There is a single, horizontal pin fastening fixed to the decorative frame, and also a small loop, to allow the brooch to be worn as a pendant on a chain.

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.