#c274 $865
Victorian hair piece set
Here is a charming expression of Victorian sentimentality. Hairwork jewelry was made for mourning and was often fashioned from the loved one's tresses as a love token. This quote from an 1855 edition of Godey's Lady's Book sums up the sentimental Victorian regard for hair used in jewelry.
"Hair is at once the most delicate and lasting of our materials, and survives us, like love. It is so light, so gentle, so escaping from the idea of death, that with a lock of hair belonging to a child or friend, we may almost look up to heaven and compare notes with the angelic nature—may almost say, "I have a piece thee here, not unworthy of thy being now."
While solid gold fittings are desirable, the main criterion of value is in the quality of the hairwork. With its intricately worked acorn pattern, this set in mint condition is a real find.
The set consists of a brooch, earrings, and a cross and comes in its original box, marked "Frank L Bean, Jeweler, Farmington, NH." The brooch has the C-clasp typical of the period.
The fittings test 14K gold.
The condition is excellent. The brooch measures 2 1/4" wide by 1 1/2" long, including the acorn drop. The earrings are 2 1/4" long, and the cross is 1 1/4" long.
