Pendant
1802 (dated)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Jewels enclosing locks of hair had been in circulation in England since at least the 17th century. In many of these pieces, strands of hair were woven or plaited, or formed into miniature scenes. Jewels with carved rock crystal faces, mounted over ciphers with a background of worked hair, were produced in order to commemorate the
death of King Charles I in 1649.
Money to make mourning rings and jewellery was often left in wills, to be worn by loved ones after the testator's death. Member of Parliament, and famed diarist, Samuel Pepys, left 123 such rings on his death in 1703. These jewels became more commonplace throughout the course of the eighteenth century, taking the form of rings, slides, lockets and pendants, and could be afforded by individuals of more limited means. Hair was added as a personal and intimate reminder of the individual, both in love jewels and in those made after death. It is possible that this jewel set with Frances Fisher's hair was made as a gift to a friend or lover and then reused as a memorial.
Seed pearls were frequently set into mourning and sentimental jewels of the period. Symbolising tears, they could be worn as accessories to the simple white or mauve fabrics appropriate for 'half-mourning.'
death of King Charles I in 1649.
Money to make mourning rings and jewellery was often left in wills, to be worn by loved ones after the testator's death. Member of Parliament, and famed diarist, Samuel Pepys, left 123 such rings on his death in 1703. These jewels became more commonplace throughout the course of the eighteenth century, taking the form of rings, slides, lockets and pendants, and could be afforded by individuals of more limited means. Hair was added as a personal and intimate reminder of the individual, both in love jewels and in those made after death. It is possible that this jewel set with Frances Fisher's hair was made as a gift to a friend or lover and then reused as a memorial.
Seed pearls were frequently set into mourning and sentimental jewels of the period. Symbolising tears, they could be worn as accessories to the simple white or mauve fabrics appropriate for 'half-mourning.'
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gold set with pearls enclosing hair and fabric |
| Brief description | Gold memorial pendant set with pearls enclosing hair, the back inscribed Frances Fisher obt 4 Nov 1802 Aet 53, England, 1802 |
| Physical description | A circular, gold pendant set with seed pearls, enclosing a tress of brown hair tied to a fragment of dark blue fabric (possibly velvet). The tress of hair and fragment of velvet are housed between two clear plates of glass. On the reverse side of the pendant, a hinge is fitted to the upper side of the glass plate. On the reverse of the pendant, curving around its lower edge, is an inscription containing abbreviations from Latin: Frances Fisher obt. 4 Nov. 1802 aet 53. That is to say, 'Frances Fisher deceased 4 November 1802 aged 53.' The upper side has been marked with the object's Museum Number: 927-1888. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | 'Frances Fisher obt 4 Nov 1802 Aet 53' (Inscribed on the back)
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| Object history | Part of a group of memorial and mourning jewels bought from Dr Marco Guastalla, acting on behalf of 'an English lady residing in Italy' (museum numbers 846-1888 to 989-1888) |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Jewels enclosing locks of hair had been in circulation in England since at least the 17th century. In many of these pieces, strands of hair were woven or plaited, or formed into miniature scenes. Jewels with carved rock crystal faces, mounted over ciphers with a background of worked hair, were produced in order to commemorate the death of King Charles I in 1649. Money to make mourning rings and jewellery was often left in wills, to be worn by loved ones after the testator's death. Member of Parliament, and famed diarist, Samuel Pepys, left 123 such rings on his death in 1703. These jewels became more commonplace throughout the course of the eighteenth century, taking the form of rings, slides, lockets and pendants, and could be afforded by individuals of more limited means. Hair was added as a personal and intimate reminder of the individual, both in love jewels and in those made after death. It is possible that this jewel set with Frances Fisher's hair was made as a gift to a friend or lover and then reused as a memorial. Seed pearls were frequently set into mourning and sentimental jewels of the period. Symbolising tears, they could be worn as accessories to the simple white or mauve fabrics appropriate for 'half-mourning.' |
| Bibliographic references |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | 927-1888 |
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| Record created | August 22, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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