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Plaited Hair Mourning Bracelet
Sentimental Hairwork Bracelet
Plaited Hair Mourning Bracelet
Plaited Hair Mourning Bracelet

Sentimental Hairwork Bracelet

Date1840-1900
Object NameBracelet
Mediumhair, metal
ClassificationsJewellery
DimensionsOpen: 20.5cm
Closed: 7cm
AcquisitionPresented in 2006 by Rosemary Watt.
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS076291
About MeThis bracelet made up of six lengths of plaited brown human hair twisted together and fixed at each end by a gilt metal cuff. One of the metal cuffs is attached to the barrel catch via small metal links. The other cuff is attached to the sprung mechanism that goes inside the barrel clasp to fasten the bracelet. Both the cuffs and the barrel clasp are decorated with engraved foliate motifs. Attached to the centre of the barrel clasp is a gilt metal heart pendant which is also engraved on one side and has an inset bezel on the other containing more plaited hair.

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.