FROM THE HEART WITH GINI RIFKIN: February 2025

Thursday, February 27, 2025

Victorian Hair Jewelry

Not the kind you wear in your hair, the kind made from hair.

Although treasuring hair from deceased loved ones goes back to medieval times, it is more noted in the 1700's. Human hair does not readily decay with the passing of time, and has qualities allowing it to last for hundreds, possibly thousands, of years.

English knights and other men, might receive lockets containing wreaths or hearts woven from their fair lady's hair.

The custom using head hair truly flourished during the Victorian era. Buyers of human hair traveled the countryside, purchasing locks often in exchange for scarves, ribbons or other small luxury objects. This hair was used by craftsmen and goldsmiths.

Band of lace from human (head) hair, made as a love token and likely worn as a bracelet, ca. 1640-1680, from the collection at the Victoria & Albert museum.

But, hairwork, as it was known, was not just for the wealthy; it was a way for people from various social classes to express their grief and sentimental feelings. Eventually women of the 19th century began crafting their own hairwork at home. In America, popular magazines of the period, such as this one and others like Godey's Lady's Book, offered printed patterns and the sale of starter kits with the necessary tools for success.

The practice is also mentioned in literature. Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights (1847) finds Heathcliff switching the hair from his rival Linton's for his own in the locket around deceased Catherine’s neck. Now a fragment of his body will go to the grave with Catherine, to intermingle with her for all times. Of course, Heathcliff’s plan is foiled by Nelly Dean, who comes along and twines rival Linton’s lock around Heathcliff’s perpetuating the lifelong feud.

The practice to create a keepsake from your loved one's hair continues today with many websites available And you can visit Leila's Hair Museum in Independence, Missouri. https://leilashairmuseum.net/
But take care. Hair is often used when casting spells!

In Victorian Dream, my heroine Trelayne St. Christoper, didn't have time for making hair jewelry. She was too busy trying to run her father's shipping company and resisting falling in love with a Yankee see captain.

1851 England & America.

Trelayne St.Christopher, a cosseted young English woman, dreams of falling madly in love, just like the daring women in her purloined novels. Now faced with adult responsibilities for the first time in her life, she leaps at the opportunity to manage her father’s shipping business.

But when she ignores her prophetic nightmares in favor of passionate daydreams, her best laid plans go terribly awry.

Emotionally scarred following the death of his wife, Yankee sea captain Walker Garrison bans romance from his personal manifest--shipbuilding is his only passion.

The transatlantic partnership between Walker and Trelayne’s father seems a grand idea until her parents are critically injured and one of Walker’s crew turns up dead.

On the trail of the man responsible, Walker sets sail for England. After meeting his new partner's daughter, protecting Trelayne and not falling in love with her may prove impossible.

Available here

https://books2read.com/u/4jzMyY