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Antique Pieces and History of This old art

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 Hair Art is jewelry and artwork created using hair as the artistic medium.  It was created most commonly from the middle ages through the 1800's.   It was believed that hair jewelry increased one's love if the piece was made using the hair of the living, and was seen as a way of wearing one's love if the person was deceased.  

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 During the Victorian times, Queen Victoria wore many pieces of hair jewelry and it became very popular due to her interest in this old art.   During this time mourning jewelry reached it's peak of popularity and there was great sentiment attached to it. There are many fabulous pieces still in existence today created during that time.   

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 At one time hair jewelry was created mainly for the upper class who could afford to have custom made gold jewelry with precious stones.  It wasn't until the later 1800's that the average person was able to find instructions and they could create these pieces themselves.  

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At one time the average person could buy the settings for these pieces.  They were sold in the Sears Catalog I've been told.   The design was pre-drawn usually on an ivory background and the person making the pendant would add their hair to personalize the piece for themselves.

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 The women of Mora, Sweden, became experienced in hairwork and their creations made it possible for groups other than the very wealthy to afford hair jewelry.  Since they did not have the money for expensive findings, their jewelry was mounted with wooden beads that they covered with hair.  There are many examples of their work in existence today. 

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  Godey's Lady's Book was a magazine published in that time and it printed patterns and offered starter kits with the necessary tools for sale.   Mark Campbell is the author of a book titled "Self-Instructor in the Art of Hairwork" and it has instructions on hair art and other crafts from that time period.   These instructions enabled the average person to learn and create these pieces on their own 

Victorian Symbolism

Victorian Picture Using Symbols of the Time

This antique picture  is an example of the symbolism used by the Victorians.  If examined you can see the doves, the dog, the trees, the hearts on the tomb and  more.

 Picture Symbolisms

           Anchor                  Hope
           Bird                      Winged Soul, Eternal Life
           Bridge                  Linking of Earthly & Heavenly Realms
           Conch Shell           Reincarnation
           Cross                    Love, Faith, Goodness
           Dog                      Loyalty
           Heart                   Love, Devotion, Charity
           Oak Tree              Steadfastness, Life
           Palm Tree             Peace
           Sun Shining          Everlasting Life

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These Are the symbols most used in Hair art jewelry

Popular Symbols Used in Hair Art

Rose                       Love, Hope

Pansy                     Thoughtfulness

Lily                         Eternal Life

Forget-Me-Not        Remembrance

Ivy                         Memory, Immortality, Friendship, Fidelity

Wreath,                  Memory

Angel                     Guardian, Protection, Divine Love

Butterfly                The 3 Stages of Life, Death, Resurrection

Fleur de Lis            Flame, Ardor, Mother

Wheat                    Resurrection


Design Ideas

These are many of the symbols you will find used in Hair Art.   


You can design many unique pieces using some of these that will have unique memories for you and your family.


You can create a lasting memory that is special to you.  


Many families have their own special symbols and meanings.  That is how the Bremen Town Musicians came to be for instance.  The red cabin on a lake is another example of a piece with meaning for the family

List of Victorian Symbolisms

This is a List of Additional Flowers & Their Meanings in the Past

Acacia                           Immortality of Soul, Secret Love               
Acanthus                       Heavenly Garden
Apple Blossom               Preference
Azalea                           Temperance
Bachelor's Buttons           Celibacy  
Basil                              Hatred             
Buttercup                      Cheerfulness
Camellia                        Reflected Loveliness
Carnation                      Admiration, A Women's Love
Crocus                           Youthful Gladness    
Daffodil                         Regard, desire, art, grace
Daisy                             Innocence, youth
Dogwood                       Durability
Fennel                           Strength
Fern                              Sincerity
Goldenrod                     Precaution
Hawthorne                    Hope, Merriness, and Springtime
Heather                        Admiration, Solitude and Protection
Heliotrope                     Devotion, Constancy, Infatuation
Hibiscus                        Devotion, Constancy, Infatuation
Holly                             Foresight
Hollyhock                      Ambition, Fertility
Honeysuckle                  Bonds of Love, Generosity & Devoted Affection
Hyacinth                       Unobtrusive Loveliness
Iris                                Hope, Power, Message
Jasmine                         Amiability, Sensuality, Grace, Elegance
Laurel Leaves                Special Achievement, Distinction, Success
Lavender                       Distrust
Lemon Blossoms             Fidelity in Love
Lilac                              First Emotions of Love, Youthful Innocence
Lily of the Valley            Return of Happiness, Purity, Humility
Lotus                             Eloquence, Mystery and Truth
Magnolia                       Love of Nature
Marigold                        Sorrow
Mint                              Virtue
Morning Glory                Affection, Resurrection
Myrtle                            Love and Marriage
Narcissus                       Egotism
Nightshade                    Secrets
Olive                             Peace and Security
Passion Flower                Elements of the Passion of Christ
Periwinkle                       Friendship
Pine                               Fidelity, Fertility, Re-generation
Pineapple                       Hospitality, Good Host
Poppy                            Peace, Rest
Primrose                        Consistency, Early Youth
Quince                          Temptation
Rhododendron                Danger
Rosemary                       Herb of Remembrance
Sage                              Domestic Virtues
Stephanotis                    Bride's Good Luck Flower
Sweet Pea                      Delicate Pleasures
Sweet William                Gallantry
Thistle                            Defiance, Earthly Sorrow
Vine                               God
Violet                             Faithfulness, Steadfastness and Modesty
Water Lily                      Purity of Heart
Weeping Willow              Mourning
Willow                            Forsaken Love
Wisteria                         Welcome, Meeting You Means So Much To Me
Zinnia                            Thoughts of Absent Friends

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Antique Pieces

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Hair Picture

Watch Fob with Locket

Hair Receiver

This is a sample of a picture made during those times.   It was done entirely from hair with the background tinted for color..

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Hair Receiver

Watch Fob with Locket

Hair Receiver

Fancy Dresser Box

Women would have a hair receiver on their dresser and save the hair from their brush and comb and place it in the hair receiver.  

When they had enough saved they would make something special.

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Watch Fob with Locket

Watch Fob with Locket

Watch Fob with Locket

This is a watch fob made from hair.  Most likely a wife or girlfriend created this for a gentlemen.  It had a picture inside the locket of the lady whose hair was used in the creation.

Mourning jewelry

We save a lock of hair from a first haircut as a tradition dating back to Victorian times when mourning jewelry as typically made.

This jewelry continues that old tradition and brings it into today's world while preserving the techniques of creating it.  This ensures it will last for generations.

Keepsakes

This jewelry can be passed down to future generations.  

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