Name/Title
Mourning BroochEntry/Object ID
1977.95.7Description
Oval mourning brooch attached to a lace collar. The brooch contains woven hair within a black frame that reads "In Memory of."Item Type
BroochStyle
VictorianUse
Brooches, originally utilitarian items used to fasten clothing, have evolved into highly decorative and symbolic pieces of jewelry over the course of history. During the Bronze Age, brooches were made of flint and thorns and by the Byzantine period, decorative brooches were used to fasten scarves and shawls. As fashion continued to evolve, they became increasingly ornamental rather than functional accessories.Context
Mourning jewelry first gained popularity in eighteenth-century England during what is known as the "sentimental period," when objects with emotional and intimate value were highly prized. Hair was incorporated into mourning jewelry as it was seen as a powerful medium, symbolizing both the presence of the deceased and the passage of time. This practice allowed individuals to keep a tangible connection to their loved ones even after their passing.
Mourning jewelry was popularized during the Victorian era. By the nineteenth century, an entire industry of hairwork artists had emerged, transforming simple locks of hair into intricate designs and forms, such as bracelets, brooches, and other keepsakes. These artisans used various techniques to weave and fashion hair into beautiful pieces, making mourning jewelry a deeply personal and significant form of remembrance.
While the identity of the honoree is unknown, the object features two shades of hair woven together. This suggests a connection between two individuals: perhaps the deceased and the wearer.Made/Created
Date made
circa 1855 - circa 1865Mark, Engraving or Stamp
Type
InscriptionLocation
TopTranscription
"In Memory of"Notes
Possibly say "Memory of JA"Material
Metal, Cotton, Hair
