Brooch

ca. 1850

Not on view

During the second half of the eighteenth century, jewelers and miniaturists began to weave or plait human hair for mounting into brooches, lockets, bracelets, and rings or to be inserted into the back of framed miniatures. As a reminder of a loved one, whether living or deceased, hair was a durable material that could be treated in a decorative manner. Engraved inscriptions often indicate whether the piece was intended as mourning jewelry or as a token of love. By the mid-nineteenth century, hair was also being woven into three-dimensional forms for mounting as earrings, charms, or watch chains.

In this elongated oval brooch, plaited hair has been set beneath a crystal face and mounted in gold. A row of faceted jet—associated with mourning—offsets the inner pearl border. The back of the brooch is engraved with a memorial inscription that reads "Chas. T. Evans, / Obt. at sea, / Sept. 20th 1852. / AE . 39 yrs."

Artwork Details

Overview

Signatures, Inscriptions, and Markings

Title: Brooch
Date: ca. 1850
Geography: Made in United States
Culture: American
Medium: Gold, jet, pearls, crystal, and hair
Dimensions: Overall: 1 1/8 x 1 5/8 in. (2.9 x 4.1 cm)
Chain: 4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm)
Credit Line: Purchase, Susan and Jon Rotenstreich Gift, 2000
Object Number: 2000.557
Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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