Victorian Antique GOLD Enamel Mourning HAIR Brooch Pin
Romantic Brooch w/Braided Hair Memento c.1860-70

Antique Victorian Mourning Brooch/Pendant with Enameling and Braided Hair Memento c. 1860-70

A Memorial/Mourning, brooch with original beveled rock crystal front which holds beneath it, a sentimental woven reddish brown hair memento. It is surrounded by an extraordinarily ornate glossy black enameling with wonderful hand etched gold scalloping. I see no damage to the front crystal nor any enamel losses. Mourning pins of this type were during the Georgian/Victorian eras. This one dates to about c.1860-70.

The original antique c-catch, tube hinge and extended pin stem all in excellent condition. The safety pin loop and bale are in place. This could be used to convert the piece into a pendant.

Measures 2" long x 1.50" wide.

In the largely forgotten craft of hairwork, practiced widely in nineteenth-century America, the hair of loved ones--living and deceased--was woven into jewelry, wall decorations, and keepsakes. Rings, bracelets, lockets, and brooches were set with metalwork or ivory and painted with rich patterns. Pocket watches hung from long, woven hair fobs. Parlor walls were decorated with elaborate wreaths made of hair fashioned into twigs and flowers, often adorned with beads or ribbons. ID=mourninghairbroochgold/enamel/hair