This bracelet is composed of three braids of elaborate tableworked human hair set in a hinged gold clasp. The clasp is constructed from three hollow rectangles of gold decorated on the exterior and connected with tube hinges. The outermost pair of rectangles show a diamond interlaced with an "X"-shaped ribbon against a rough, patinaed background. The central rectangle shows a scrolled cartouche worked with the inscription "AW to MW" in gothic script. The bracelet closes with a tounge and groove clasp. The interior bears a date inscription.
bracelets (jewelry)
human hair
gold (metal)
human hair
Bracelet
"Mementos: Jewelry of Life and Love from Historic New England": In 1864 nineteen-year-old Anna Wigglesworth gave her elder sister Mary this elaborate hair bracelet to celebrate Mary's engagement to Henry Pickering, a Boston lawyer.
Front: "A. W. / to / M. W." Back: July 28th. 1864 / 1. Park St." (Engraved)
711
Wigglesworth, Anna (Inscriber)
1 x 1/4 (WxD), 2 7/8 (diameter) (inches)
Estate of Mrs. Jane N. Grew
1920.546
"Hidden Treasures from Elegant Eras," Historic Jewelry from the Collections of the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities presented by Shreve, Crump & Low, September 15 - November 30, 1995.
Pictured in Brierley, Sarah, "With this Ring I Thee Wed," Historic New England, Fall (2007): 17. For more information on hair jewelry see Bell, C. Jeanenne, "Collector's Encyclopedia of Hairwork Jewelry," (1998); Bury, Shirley, "Jewellery, 1789-1910," v. 2 (1991): 680-698; Campbell, Mark, "The Art of Hair Work: Hair Braiding and Jewelry of Sentiment with Catalog of Hair Jewelry," Eds. Jules & Kaethe Kliot (facsimile of 1875 printing, 1996); Dawes, Ginny Reddington & Corinne Davidov, "Victorian Jewelry: Unexplored Treasures," (1991): 139-143; Fales, Martha Gandy, "Jewelry in America, 1600-1900," (1995): 98-107, 214-219.
Title Choker with miniature clasp Accession Number 1920.511
Title Tortoiseshell back comb Accession Number 1920.525
Title Tortoiseshell back comb Accession Number 1920.526
Title Horn back comb Accession Number 1920.527
Title Horn back comb Accession Number 1920.528
Title Dyed horn back comb Accession Number 1920.529
Title Tortoiseshell back comb Accession Number 1920.530
Title Tortoiseshell side comb Accession Number 1920.531
Title Horn side comb Accession Number 1920.534
Title Tortoiseshell side comb Accession Number 1920.535
Title Tortoiseshell back comb Accession Number 1920.536
Title Tortoiseshell back comb Accession Number 1920.538
Title Horn side comb Accession Number 1920.539
Title Gilt metal side comb Accession Number 1920.540
Title Hair bracelet Accession Number 1920.544
Title Hair bracelet Accession Number 1920.545
Title Hair bracelet Accession Number 1920.546
Title Artificial bone ring Accession Number 1920.555
Title Brooch Accession Number 1920.557
Title Brooch Accession Number 1920.558
Title Brooch Accession Number 1920.559
Title Ivory bracelet Accession Number 1920.617
Title Lorgnette in case Accession Number 1920.624
Title Folding locket with photos Accession Number 1920.626
Title Buckle Accession Number 1920.785
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