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The REAL Meaning to the Term Hair Jewelry When you think of the term hair jewelry you may think of jewel-encrusted barrettes, combs or other adornments that can be worn in the hair. However, the real meaning to the term hair jewelry comes from the fact that many cultures have made jewelry from actual hair throughout history. Hair is very symbolic and has been associated with life, death, and funerals in many civilizations.
The importance of hair was demonstrated on several tomb painting in Egypt, where pharaohs and queens were drawn exchanging balls of their own hair to demonstrate their love. Similarly, there are stories of women in Mexico keeping their hair combings in a jar that they could be buried with. They did this because they
believed if the soul was missing parts it may scour the earth in search of them and postpone their entrance into the afterlife.
Because of its importance throughout history, hair has an often been made into jewelry. Hair jewelry has been made by several different cultures throughout history. It had its origins in Sweden where it is still practiced in some forms today. In the 1800s, Sweden fell on hard times economically. People who previously were prosperous farmers were forced to pick up other trades due to a lack of land. Many women began hair plaiting. In 1800, a small village named Vamhus, Dalarna had as many as 300 known hair workers.
This craft spread through Europe. Jewelers would make elaborate designs made from human hair. The popularity of hair jewelry is evident because Queen Victoria was said to give Empress Eugene a bracelet made from her own hair.
By the mid 1800s hair was a valuable asset that had many commercial uses. Hair markets sprung up all over Europe. Young girls were often offered trinkets for their hair, which was then sold for a high price as jewelry at hair expositions.
Hair was also sold as mourning jewelry throughout Victorian times. Morning jewelry became the norm after the death of Prince Albert in 1861. Queen Victoria was distraught over his premature passing. She made it mandatory that everyone in her court wear mourning clothes for three years. She herself wore black for the rest of her life. Many people began wearing black jewelry to show their condolences.
In the nineteenth century, mourning rings commonly were made from gold and had a lock of plaited hair enclosed in the center.
In the United States, mourning jewelry had a popularity peak during the Civil War. It would not be uncommon for a soldier to leave a lock of his hair with his family members before he leaves for war. The family would wear the hair in a locket around their neck, hoping for a safe return of their loved one. However, if the soldier died at war the lock of hair was memorialized in mourning jewelry.
In 1855, several magazines throughout Europe advertised that if women wished to mail in her hair it could be transformed into jewelry. Hair work became a popular pastime and trade. Hair was boiled in soda water for fifteen minutes and then divided into piles of 30 strands each. Long hair worked best for jewelry. The hair was then wound and twisted around a mold. Once complete the mold and hair was boiled for fifteen minutes. Once dried, the hair was removed from the mold and mounted on wearable jewelry.
Hair jewelry is a valuable item available to collector. There are many dealers that specialize in hair jewelry, especially mourning jewelry. In addition, it is often displayed in museums around the world, where it can be appreciated by anyone who visits.
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