Jewelry made of hair from the deceased

As shown in my previous blog entry fashion was extremely important throughout the Victorian era and there was no exception during the mourning period.  Although women did not wear any jewelry while in deep mourning in later stages fashion including jewelry became very important.  Jewelry made from the hair of the deceased loved one became very popular.  This jewelry could be made for the individual who wore it or there were even pamphlets with instructions on how to create your own fashionable jewelry.  The jewelry ranged from very simple to extremely elaborate designs.  Sometimes things such as photographs, gold or diamonds. These pieces became mementos to the people who owned them. 

Some of the jewelry were as simple as a locket with a photograph and a lock of the loved ones hair.

                 Brooches were very common.  This particular one had a very intricate design.
 

            Tightly woven pieces were also common.  I can't imagine the number of hairs and the            hours that it took to create this piece.  


I recall seeing more than one exhibit in different museums throughout the years of these types of pieces.  Honestly, I've always found them a little creepy and can't imagine wearing any of these pieces no matter how intricate.

I found it interesting when researching this topic that there is still a market for this type of jewelry.  Not only are there collectors of the antique pieces but there are crafters still making hair jewelry and selling it.  There are even instructions on how to create these unique treasurers online.  They are made by "Hair Artists".  Want to see what is available check out one of these websites here.

Fashion in Mourning

In a time where fashion was very important there were many specific rules that dictated how one was to dress while in mourning.  What you wore or did not wear was depended on who you were in mourning for.  You were expected to wear specific clothes for a specific period of time.  These rules were also different depending on whether you were a man or woman or a child.  Mourning to the greatest of extent was more rule binding for the wealthy.  To have the fashionable mourning attire was expensive and only the wealthy could afford everything that was needed to be in the height of fashion.

The first photo is of a young girl who was considered to be in  half mourning.  Children didn't wear the full mourning attire of the adult women.

These women were considered to be in full deep mourning.  These were everyday dresses.  If the woman was closely related to the deceased such as a wife or mother they were expected to be in full mourning for at least a year.  During this time, her clothing could only be made of fabrics which lacked color or shine. Only black crape trim was allowed, while feathers, beads, and hat flowers were forbidden. This absence of decoration was meant to show how a mourner was consumed with her deep sorrow instead of her appearance.
 
This woman is in mourning for her child.  The white lace trim on her dress indicated the purity of her child.

This man is also in mourning for his child.  However the dark suit he is wearing was not any different than what he might have typically worn to the office.


After a year of full mourning a woman was then allowed to wear half- mourning which could last for up to another year.  They were allowed to wear more prints and fabrics with color and jewelry.

These were all typical of the late 1890's.

I couldn't help but share a picture from one of my favorite movies. "Gone with the Wind"
Dancing was not typically acceptable while in mourning but of course Scarlette managed to do whatever she pleased regardless of being in full mourning.