Images(2)

Sentimental Hairwork Picture

Date19th century

Object NameHairwork Picture

Mediumglass, hair, seed pearls

ClassificationsJewellery

DimensionsHeight: 5.7cm
Width: 4.5cm

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS072000

Keywords

About MeThis oval hair picture is set between two pieces of glass. The glass is clear from the front and opalised from the reverse.

The glass is held together around the edge with a band of metal, probably a copper alloy. The hair is blonde and in a design that scrolls up the left side. At the bottom is a blue cartouche set with seed pearls in the initials 'W.M.L.'.

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.