{"product_id":"early-victorian-plaited-hair-brooch","title":"Early Victorian Plaited Hair Brooch","description":"\u003cp\u003eContrary to popular belief, hair jewelry was not always mourning jewelry. Sometimes these intricately woven pieces were created as love tokens from sweethearts, family members and cherished friends as a way to feel closer to the other. It also was worn merely as fashion since hair jewelry was in vogue during the Victorian era. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGaining in popularity during the Civil War, hair work was an affordable and common at-home drawing room past time, much like knitting. Patterns and templates were widely available in newspapers, fashion magazines and periodicals. Many young women earned a living making hair jewelry at home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor those less skilled or crafty, hair jewelry also could be purchased through catalogs or from jewelry stores. All one had to do was decide which piece they would like to have created and then send off a lock of hair to have it transformed into the piece of their dreams. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExquisitely handcrafted in gold-filled metal, this stunning brooch features beautifully plaited human hair set under glass. Sadly, there is no identifying information engraved on the back so we do not know who the hair belonged to or whether this was a mourning piece or romantic piece. However, there is a large thumb-print dent in the back of the piece, so we know it truly meant a lot to someone. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBrooch also has an attached ring so it could be worn as a pendant as well. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStill, it is a lovely piece of jewelry showcasing a since forgotten past time of our ancestors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion__group\"\u003e\n\u003ca class=\"accordion__label\" href=\"#\"\u003e Additional Details \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion__text\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1840s -1850s\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/strong\u003e Gold-filled metal, glass, human hair \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurements: \u003c\/strong\u003e1.25\" x 1.5\"  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarkings:\u003c\/strong\u003e None\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good\u003cbr\u003eBrooch has an overall aged patina. We have cleaned it to the best of our ability. It was quite neglected when we received it. There is a thumb sized dent in the back of the brooch. \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion__group\"\u003e\n\u003ca class=\"accordion__label\" href=\"#\"\u003e Cleaning and Care \u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"accordion__text\"\u003eUsing extreme care and a light touch, polish metal with a soft jeweler's cloth, if necessary. Do not submerge in water.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"The Veiled Mirror","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46817612693693,"sku":null,"price":298.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0526\/8304\/7101\/files\/GFHairBrooch.jpg?v=1779560960","url":"https:\/\/theveiledmirror.com\/products\/early-victorian-plaited-hair-brooch","provider":"The Veiled Mirror","version":"1.0","type":"link"}