I’ve mentioned all sorts of jewelry in my books from Luckenbooth brooches to parure sets, signet rings, tiaras, and so much more. But today I’m sharing a bit about mourning jewelry, typically lockets, brooches, pins, and yes, even rings and earrings.
So what’s so interesting about that?
Well, often the jewelry was made of the deceased hair. It’s a bit difficult for us to grasp this popular custom of taking a lock of a dead loved one’s hair and wearing it as jewelry. It was meant to honor the departed and to keep them near the griever’s hearts.
A bit morbid for my taste, but the artwork and craftsmanship that went into some of this pieces is truly astounding.
Both these pieces contain human hair and are courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
These sites offer several examples of mourning jewelry made of hair. Take a peek. It’s quite fascinating.
http://www.pinterest.com/kitskyy/mourning-arts-hair-jewelry-and-hairwork/
http://www.historicnewengland.org/collections-archives-exhibitions/online-exhibitions/JewelryHistory/themes/Mourning.htm
http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=parure&rs=ac&len=6
