Historic New England

Brooch

This oval brooch is set with a swirl of blonde and brown hair under beveled glass. It is mounted in a plain gold border and closes with a hinged pin and hook on the reverse.

Date: 1844

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material), human hair, gold (metal)

GUSN: 101179

Accession Number: 1921.317

Gold oval brooch with black enamel border, center set with an ambrotype portrait of Governor Samuel Wells (1801-1868) of Maine (same picture as 1933.1968 and 1929.515), hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1860-1870

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material), gold alloy, enamel (fused coating)

GUSN: 101180

Accession Number: 1929.514

Brooch with miniature portrait of Elizabeth W. Gilbert

This gold rectangular brooch is set with a miniature portrait on ivory of a baby holding a silver coral and bells (1932.225). The child wears a pink dress with a wide neck and short, gathered sleeves. The portrait is set under beveled glass. The back is inscribed with the child's name and the date (...

Date: 1839

Maker: unknown

Material: gold (metal), miniatures (paintings), ivory (tooth component), watercolor (paint)

GUSN: 101182

Accession Number: 1932.224

Brooch

Gold oval brooch, center set with brown woven hair under beveled glass surrounded by gold twisted rope border, hinged pin (missing) and hook on reverse.

Date: 1849

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101183

Accession Number: 1944.321

Mourning Ring in Original Case

Marquise shaped gold mounting set with gold intertwined initials "CS" over brown woven hair, engraved on reverse and on band.

Date: 1800

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101184

Accession Number: 1932.515

Brooch

Gold octagonal brooch set with enamel, center has oval compartment with a braid of brown hair under beveled glass and surrounded by chased gold border, hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1843

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101185

Accession Number: 1936.283

Brooch

This gilt metal and black enamel rectangular brooch features an urn and willow tree at its center. The urn is set with brown hair in a basket-weave pattern under beveled glass. The edges of the brooch and the urn reserve are framed in a gold border chased with floral scrolls. The urn top and base ar...

Date: 1830-1840

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101186

Accession Number: 1920.39

Brooch

Gold and enamel rectangular brooch with rounded corners, center set with blonde hair under beveled glass, hinged pin and hook on reverse.This brooch, most likely made for Lucy Ann (Lane) Norcross, marks the deaths of Otis Norcross Jr (1837-1841) and George L. Norcross (1840-1841). The donor was the ...

Date: 1841

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101187

Accession Number: 1927.303

Brooch

Gold and enamel rectangular brooch, center set with a braid of brown and gray hair and surrounded by a foliate chased border, hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1841

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101188

Accession Number: 1969.3599

Brooch

Gilt metal and jet brooch with scroll border, center set with oval cameo of broken column and flower surrounded by a row of seed pearls, reverse is set with a braid of brown hair under glass, hinged pin and hook.

Date: 1840-1860

Maker: unknown

Material: pearl (animal material), gold alloy, enamel (fused coating), glass (material)

GUSN: 101189

Accession Number: 1933.37

Locket

Black vulcanite oval locket, inner compartment contains a lock of brown hair under glass, loop attachment at top.

Date: 1860-1880

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101190

Accession Number: 1933.1708

Locket in Original Case

Onyx and gold oval locket, front features a gold fleur de lis set with four seed pearls, inside compartments hold a ambrotype of Governor Samuel Wells (1801-1868) of Maine (same picture as 1933.1969 and 1929.514) and a lock of white hair under glass, gold pendant loop at top. Fitted leather case wit...

Date: 1860-1870

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101191

Accession Number: 1929.515ab

Brooch

Gold octagonal brooch with faceted edge, center set with brown hair in basket weave pattern, hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1864

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101192

Accession Number: 1928.889

Brooch

Stamped gilt metal brooch with scroll design, center set with woven brown hair under beveled glass and surrounded by a row of pearls, hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1840-1870

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101193

Accession Number: 1931.989

Brooch

Gold and brown table-worked hair brooch in the form of two acorns. Closure is a hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1850-1865

Maker: unknown

Material: human hair, gold alloy

GUSN: 101194

Accession Number: 1930.162

Brooch

Gold heart shaped brooch, center set with brown hair, hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101195

Accession Number: 1933.1178

Pendant

Gold circular pendant with chased floral border, center set with a braid of brown hair under beveled glass, pendant loop is missing.

Date: 1820-1850

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101196

Accession Number: 1936.287

Brooch

Hollow gilt metal scroll border brooch, center set with a swirl of blonde hair under glass, hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1849

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101197

Accession Number: 1933.34

Locket

Gold oval locket, front engraved with an asymmetrical cartouche surrounded by acanthus leaves, inside compartments contain a tin type of a bust of Andrews Norton and a lock of gray hair, large gold pendant loop at top.

Date: ca. 1853

Maker: unknown

Material: gold alloy, glass (material), tintypes (prints)

GUSN: 101198

Accession Number: 1990.8

Memorial Brooch

Gold rectangular brooch with rounded corners, center set with intertwined gray and brown hair under glass and surrounded by a row of seed pearls, engraved on reverse, hinged pin and hook is a later addition.

Date: 1800-1820

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material), gold (metal), human hair, pearl (animal material)

GUSN: 101199

Accession Number: 1922.1019

Brooch

Gold rectangular brooch with border of faceted jet beads, center set with lock of light brown hair under beveled glass, hinged pin and hook and safety chain and pin on reverse.

Date: 1823

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101200

Accession Number: 1940.502

Brooch

Gold over brass oval revolving style brooch, center set with palette worked curls over milk glass.

Date: 1850-1860

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material), brass (alloy)

GUSN: 101201

Accession Number: 1960.99

Brooch

Gold oval brooch, center set with brown woven hair under faceted glass and surrounded by pearls, hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1835-1855

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101202

Accession Number: 1927.878

Brooch

Gilt metal brooch with applied scalloped border, center set with brown hair in basket weave patter under beveled glass and surrounded by an enamel border, hinged pin and hook on reverse.

Date: 1840-1880

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101203

Accession Number: 1939.255

Mourning Ring

Circular gold mounting and adjustable band, center set with woven brown hair under crystal, engraved on reverse.

Date: 1791

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101304

Accession Number: 1927.912

Earrings and Ring

Set of hairwork jewelry consisting of a pair of earrings and a ring. Earrings each feature two brown woven hair drops in the shape of acorns attached to an s-shaped ear wire. Ring features a brown woven hair band with a buckle motif mount.

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101305

Accession Number: 1919.619a-c

Necklace

Chain necklace with oval locket featuring an applied fleur de lis set with a pearl on one side and a monogram "ENR" in Gothic script on the reverse, two compartments on the inside for photographs or hair.

Date: ca. 1876

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101306

Accession Number: 1941.1055

Earrings

Pair of gold oval earrings, centers set with blonde braided hair under beveled glass, gold twisted wire border applied around hair, s shaped ear wire fasteners.

Date: 1860-1880

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101307

Accession Number: 1981.34.1-2

Brooch

This small circular brooch contains a braided lock of blonde hair under glass surrounded by seed pearls set in gold. It attaches with a hinged pin and hook on the reverse.

Date: 1780-1820

Maker: Attributed to Moulton, Ebeneezer, 1768-1824 (Jeweler)

Material: glass (material), freshwater pearl, human hair, gold alloy

GUSN: 101308

Accession Number: 1913.112

Brooch

This gold oval brooch with a blue and white enamel border, is set with a painting on ivory of a veiled woman weeping next to an inscribed plinth and urn. Human hair appears to be mixed into the pigment. A winged putti hovers over her head holding a scroll that reads "Welcome." The woman is seated b...

Date: 1793

Maker: unknown

Material: gold (metal), ivory (tooth component), enamel (fused coating), human hair

GUSN: 101309

Accession Number: 1918.1254

Pair of Earrings

Each earring in this pair is composed of a center rectangle set with plaits of brunette human hair under glass surrounded by a chased gold border and round, Old European cut faceted jet stones. The earrings attach with hinged ear wires on the reverse..

Date: 1820-1840

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material), gold (metal), human hair, jet (coal)

GUSN: 101310

Accession Number: 1927.880.1-2

Locket

Gold circular pendant, center set with palette worked curls, pearls and pieces of gold wire over a milk glass background, reverse has small compartment set with gold initials "JG" over brown hair in basket weave pattern, gold loop on top for attachment. White paper box with red edges and pink-tinted...

Date: ca. 1800

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101311

Accession Number: 1965.82

Pendant

Circular locket with chased floral border, center set with a lock of black and gray hair under glass and surrounded by a twisted rope bezel, pendant loop at top.

Date: 1829

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material)

GUSN: 101312

Accession Number: 1995.78.2

Locket

Gold circular locket, inside compartments contain tin type of a baby girl and a lock of brown hair, hinged pendant loop at top.

Date: 1853

Maker: unknown

Material: glass (material), tin (metal)

GUSN: 101313

Accession Number: 1934.1831

Pair of Earrings

Pair of gold and hair earrings with pinwheel motif surmounts and three elongated brown hair drops, gold fleur de lis with wings on ear wire.

Date: ca. 1873

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101314

Accession Number: 1934.1802AB

Pair of Earrings

Each earring in this pair is composed of tableworked blonde human hair. Each earring top is a hollow ball with a floral gold mount and a suspension ring at the base, from which hangs an acorn-shaped drop with a gold pin and gold disc mount at the base. One drop is missing its gold base mount. The ea...

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

Material: human hair, gold (metal)

GUSN: 101315

Accession Number: 1930.19AB

Brooch and Earrings

Pair of brown hairwork earrings each featuring three acorn shaped drops on hinged ear wires.

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101316

Accession Number: 1943.747a-c

Lock of Hair

Braid of light brown hair tied in a circle with a pink silk ribbon.

Date: 1836

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101317

Accession Number: 1936.273

Pair of Earrings

Each earring in this pair is composed of tableworked brunette human hair formed into hollow acorn-shaped drops, two drops per earring, attached directly to the gold ear wire with a gold pin and loop.

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

Material: human hair, gold (metal)

GUSN: 101318

Accession Number: 1933.969AB

Pair of Earrings

Pair of brown hairwork earrings each featuring two acorn shaped drops suspended from gold s-shaped ear wires.

Date: 1850-1870

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101319

Accession Number: 1934.1837AB

Pair of Earrings

Each earring in this pair is composed of tableworked brunette human hair in the shape of a hollow ball set on a gold pin and finished with gold end caps. The upper cap is surmounted by a cast gold flower.The earrings attach with gold s-shaped ear wires.

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

Material: human hair, gold (metal)

GUSN: 101320

Accession Number: 1930.1034AB

Brooch and Earrings

Set of hairwork jewelry consisting of a brooch and pair of earrings. Brooch features two brown hairwork balls set in gold mount with an engraved gold ribbon in center, brown heart shaped hair work charm is suspended from a double chain. Earrings each feature two brown hairwork balls attached to go...

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

Material: human hair, gold (metal)

GUSN: 101321

Accession Number: 1960.103a-c

Brooch and Earrings

Set consisting of a hairwork brooch and matching earrings. Brooch features seven brown woven hair balls each with gold mount in center, small gold chain hangs from the bottom (missing charm). The earrings each feature four brown woven hair balls with gold mounts in center supporting hair drop with ...

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101322

Accession Number: 1927.2104-2106

Brooch and Earrings in Original Case

Set of hairwork jewelry consisting of a brooch and earrings. Brooch features a brown woven hair tube in a figure-eight knot with gold terminals, center is set with three brown woven hair balls with gold mount centers and two gold leaves. Earrings each feature brown woven hair ball surmounts with d...

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101323

Accession Number: 1934.334a-c

Pair of Earrings

Pair of brown hair earrings with four elongated tear shaped drops suspended from a circular gold wire mount.

Date: ca. 1873

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101324

Accession Number: 1934.1836AB

Bracelet

Three strands of brown table-worked hair twisted together, two hair ball drops attached by thin hair chains.

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101325

Accession Number: 1924.220

Necklace

Necklace consisting of a tube of woven hair with gold octagonal hinged clasp with scrolled engraving.

Date: 1850-1880

Maker: unknown

GUSN: 101326

Accession Number: 1944.733

Bracelet

Fourteen strands of brown table-worked hair joined together with vertical rows of gold beads, pierced brass rectangular clasp set with seven red glass stones.

Date: 1840-1870

Maker: unknown

Material: hair, glass (material), brass (alloy)

GUSN: 101327

Accession Number: 1927.1108