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Now all but forgotten, the art of wearing mourning jewelry was once a common practice for hundreds of years. Popular in the time before photography, mourning jewelry was created to serve as a keepsake to remember a lost loved one.
Hair work also was used as a sentimental keepsake -- a way to keep the person you love close to you at all times, even when they are still present in this world.
Often, there are tell-tale signs that help us determine whether a piece is mourning or sentimental, but sometimes it is impossible to tell. Sadly, there are no discerning motifs or engravings to give us any information about this piece.
However, it is still a striking and unusual piece. Set in a gold-filled metal, this darling piece can be worn as a brooch, a watch fob or as a pendant.
It features a lock of strawberry blonde hair bound at both ends with silk cording and layered on top of cut locks of brunette hair. This piece was mostly likely done in the home by a novice hair worker, which makes us love it even more!
Additional Details
Date: 1880s
Materials: Gold filled metal, human hair, glass, silk thread
Measurements: 3/4" x 1"
Markings: None
Condition: Good
This piece has clearly been heavily worn and loved. There are overall surface scratches to the glass and the metal. The ring around the glass has damage but is still firmly affixed. The back of the piece has a number of small dents and there is a worn spot on the edge, which probably happened when someone attempted to test the gold. The necklace hook is most likely not original but is an older addition.
Cleaning and Care
Do not submerge this piece into any sort of liquids and try to refrain from getting it wet. Wipe gently with a soft, dry polishing cloth if needed.
