Antique Hair Bracelet.

Inner diameter 7.2 cm. 4.6 g.

Circa 1840. Historic bracelet consisting of braided hair with a formerly gold-plated clasp in the shape of a snake, whose head is set with 2 small turquoise cabochons and a garnet. Gold plating significantly worn.

Jewelry made from human hair was not, as is often claimed, worn in the 19th century solely as mourning jewelry or keepsakes for the deceased; in many cases, it was given as tokens of friendship or love. The significance of the snake as a symbol of eternity or eternal love during the second to third quarters of the 19th century suggests in this case that the bracelet was originally a gift to a close loved one.