Victorian Woven Hairwork Pendant in 8K Gold, c. 1840–1860

This Victorian hairwork pendant dates to the mid-nineteenth century, when jewelry crafted from human hair occupied a deeply personal and symbolic role within private life. Formed in an elongated pear-drop silhouette, the pendant is constructed of intricately woven hair, encased and suspended in 8K gold fittings.

Hairwork jewelry emerged from long-standing traditions of memento keeping, predating the Victorian era but reaching particular refinement and emotional resonance in the nineteenth century. Hair—unchanged by time—was understood as a powerful material of presence and continuity, making it uniquely suited for objects of remembrance, affection, or mourning.

The woven surface displays a dense, textural pattern achieved through skilled hand-braiding, tapering gracefully toward a polished gold terminal. The pendant’s modest scale and light weight suggest it was intended for close, daily wear, likely suspended from a chain or ribbon and worn beneath clothing, where its significance remained known primarily to the wearer.

Preserved in excellent condition, this pendant stands as a compelling example of hairwork as both craft and emotional archive—an object created not for display, but for proximity, memory, and quiet devotion.

Purchased at auction Stamford, United Kingdom