Brooch, about 1855

Description:
Sentimental brooch which incorporates a lock of hair of a loved one.The inclusion of black enamel around the hair indicates that the loved one was likely deceased."MBL" may be the initials of the deceased.Half mourning called for jewelry that was not flashy or showed too much shiny gold metal, so many pieces used in half mourning include dark stones or enamel.This was likely made simultaneously with the plaited hair jewelry popular in the 1850s and 1860s.
Date Issued:
[1850 TO 1860]
Data Provider:
Wayne State University. Libraries and The Henry Ford
Collection:
Digital Dress Collection
Subject Topic:
Brooches, Jewelry, Enamel and enameling, Engraving (Incising), and Gold
Format:
clothing
Rights:
Images are copyright The Henry Ford. Web versions may be used for reference purposes only. If you would like a higher quality image please contact the Benson Ford Research Center.
URL:
http://digital.library.wayne.edu/item/wayne:EM02_00_17_100