Have You Ever Seen…
Victorian Mourning “hair” art? It’s truly amazing. Consider these lovely pieces, from Things Gone By. 
This first image is from their private collection, and the owner describes it: 12 inches by 14 inches; depth is almost 2 inches; frame is shadow box style, but that I mean that the hairwork itself is recessed down into the frame. The original glass still covers the hairwork. I can’t even imagine how long it took the woman (and you know it was a woman, caught in the web of Victorian mourning seclusion practices) to create this image – all from the hair of her beloved.
This second piece is wearable art. A brooch (what a fine word), described as “a beautiful Victorian mourning brooch featuring a blonde Prince of Wales feather in the center. Mourning jewelry containing blonde hair is hard to find and highly sought after. The Prince of Wales hair work feather is set upon opalene glass and is adorned with seed pearls and tiny strands of gold wire. On the back, is a locket with contains either finely woven blonde hair or fabric. This brooch has a hook on the back so that a portrait miniature or watch could be hung from it. The black enamel is in perfect condition.” 
Now, I’d like to share with you a modern day memorial brooch, available to your client families through Shine On Brightly. In my podcast conversation yesterday with Adrienne Crowther, the founder of this remarkable company, I learned about the commitment she shares with us – to help families honor, and remember their loved ones. The artists she works with share that commitment too; consider this elegant pendant necklace – and the similar brooch – each with the hair of the deceased clearly visible. 
The artist who creates these works of art is Angela Bubash, who was “born and raised in Pennsylvania. She has been metalsmithing for fourteen years and recently finished a three year residency at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. She spends her time creating in her studio and teaching at Appalachian State University (NC).
Her work is primarily sterling silver in combination with found or natural objects encased as if they are jewels. Objects in glass vials are a deliberate reference to historical reliquaries. She describes her reliquaries as vignettes of memory, beauty, and personal observations. The work is a combination of perfectly executed traditional techniques within a contemporary conceptual context.”
Isn’t it wonderful to bear witness to the revival of a tradition?
