Brooch thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91 to 93 mezzanine, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Brooch

1855 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The Victorians continued the custom of using hair jewellery in gifts of love and remembrance. Queen Victoria both wore and gave jewellery set with hair. Hair curls were set in more modest mounts than before.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Engraved gold set with hair
Brief description
Gold brooch perhaps enclosing the hair of Sir Marc Isambard Brunel (1769-1849) and his wife Sophia. The back inscribed and dated, England, 1855
Physical description
Gold brooch enclosing the hair - perhaps of Sir Marc Isambard Brunel (1769-1849) and his wife Sophia - commemorated in the inscription. The back inscribed Sir Marc Isambard Brunel died Decr 1849. Aged 80. Sophia Brunel, Died Jany 1855, Aged 79
Dimensions
  • Height: 2.9cm
  • Width: 4.6cm
  • Depth: 1.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
inscribed Sir Marc Isambard Brunel died Decr 1849. Aged 80. Sophia Brunel, Died Jany 1855, Aged 79 (The back)
Credit line
Given by Miss A. Kelsey
Object history
Historical significance: Sir Marc Isambard Brunel (1769-1849) and his wife Sophia (d.1855) were Isambard Kingdom Brunel's parents. Sir Marc Isambard Brunel was a noted engineer and inventor in his own right.
Summary
The Victorians continued the custom of using hair jewellery in gifts of love and remembrance. Queen Victoria both wore and gave jewellery set with hair. Hair curls were set in more modest mounts than before.
Collection
Accession number
M.21-1972

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Record createdApril 6, 2006
Record URL
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