Mourning bracelet
Object No. 96/266/2-1
Bracelet, mourning, metal / human hair / textile / glass, maker unknown, England, c. 1850-1870
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Summary
Physical Description
Bracelet made from 3 intertwined ropes of plaited brown hair. Two ropes are dark brown, one is plaited in open work style weave and the other in closed style weave. The third rope is pale brown in close style weave. The rope rings are held together with a hexagon shaped wide gilt metal ring, three panels of which are decorated in relief with intricate floriate motifs. Attached to the ring of each bracelet is a gilt metal oval pendant decorated in relief with intricate floriate motifs and applied with a horseshoe in relief on one side with a locket of hair held together with fine gilt thread enclosed on the other.
DIMENSIONS
Height
24 mm
Width
120 mm
Depth
110 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
Jewellery constructed of plaited human hair formed a significant part of the 'mourning industry' in Victorian England and became particularly fashionable in the middle of the 19th century. These bracelets were probably made in England.
HISTORY
Notes
These bracelets were probably worn in Australia. English mourning jewellery was often worn in Australia with some Australian jewellers producing mourning jewellery locally, copying the designs of English examples.
SOURCE
Acquisition Date
29 July 1996
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