Hairwork jewelry is a facet of the larger hairwork art genre’.  Part amulet part memento, these are jewelry gifts, truly gifts of love, to be kept close always.  While not a current tradition, just a generation ago you could still find a lock of hair treasured as an affectionate keepsake.


The perishable nature of hair makes it difficult to trace the history of hairwork beyond its commercial beginnings in Sweden c.1800. 

An exodus of short-haired young women trained in the hairwork techniques left Sweden and moved across Europe in groups of three or more.  Integrating into each new society as they spread the art of weaving hair into jewelry, embroidering it into pictures of landscapes or even portraits of loved ones.

Late in 1850, the popular woman’s magazine Godey’s Lady’s Book introduced the art of hairwork jewelry to America by giving complete instructions on how to do it, with illustrations, and even offering a low cost service that would weave your locks of hair into a lovely piece of jewelry.


The Crystal Palace Exposition of 1853 gave a boost to the fashion of hairwork jewelry by exhibiting a full line of this exotic style to the British public.


The fashion of hairwork jewelry caught on in the USA during the Civil War as loved ones kept locks of hair from the soldiers that left for war.  This led to an association of hairwork jewelry with mourning jewelry and both had declined in the eyes of the trendy people, as of the turn of the century, 1900.

Before this unfortunate comparison, hairwork jewelry was worn as a sign of sentimental affection for a loved one, both living and deceased. 

Queen Victoria gave her children and grandchildren jewelry gifts made from locks of her hair.  Napoleon and others carried this type of intimate memento, while far from home, in that closeness that develops from constantly wearing any item of jewelry that is also a token of love.

There are a few websites dedicated to teaching the secrets of plaiting locks of hair into wearable or frame-able art although there seems to be no new text or manual other than reproductions of the Godey’s Lady’s Book 1850 how-to editions and patterns.


The techniques used to create hairwork jewelry and other art are often learned by practicing with horsehair, it being easier to work with due to its size.  It is also the modern style of hairwork that is commercially viable, with the production of souvenir’s for the equine fancier.

Another unique fashion jewelry style is the traditional wedding jewelry of India, Kundan Meena Jewelry.

Handy hairwork jewelry links

You can find lots of information, help and dedicated people at the Victorian Hairwork Society

http://www.hairworksociety.org/

http://www.victorianhairartists.com/

http://www.victorianhairjewelry.com/

And just as much dedication to the art of hairwork jewelry using horsehair;

http://www.solenarodesigns.com/

CUSTOM HORSE HAIR EQUESTRIAN JEWELRY FROM YOUR HORSE TO YOU

SuzanneStormS

http://www.SuzanneStormS.com/

The hair is woven by Suzanne Storms in the tradition of the great Victorian hair weavers of the 19th century.

http://www.twistedtails.com/

Unique Horsehair Jewelry
Memorable treasures created from your special horse's hair.

 

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