Bracelet
Category
Jewellery
Date
1845 (circa)
Materials
Agate, gold, and hair.
Collection
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
NT 288792
Summary
A woven hair mourning bracelet, c. 1845. The irregular, oval-shaped gold clasp is bezel-set with a fine quality pale brown agate cameo carved to depict the head of Medusa between hinged plain gold cylindrical gold side sections. The cameo probably dates from the mid-18th century origin. There is a fracture on the reverse of the agate. It is presented within an early 19th century red leather box. The bracelet bears a note written by Mary Adeline Crewe (1834-1930), which explains it was a gift to her mother, Jane, Lady Crewe (1799-1880). The note states, 'Head of Medusa - said to be very valuable given to my mother by her father and left to Isabel Jane Crewe. Hair I believe our mother M.A. Crewe.'
Full description
Early Victorian woven hair mourning bracelet, c. 1845. The irregular, oval-shaped gold clasp bezel-set with a fine quality pale brown agate cameo carved to depict the head of Medusa between hinged plain gold cylindrical gold side sections. Cameo probably of mid-18th century origin; fracture on the back of the agate. Accompanied by a paper stating 'Head of Medusa - said to be very valuable given to my mother by her father and left to Isabel Jane Crewe. Hair I believe our mother M.A. Crewe.' Lodged in an early-19th century red leather box.
Provenance
Calke Abbey and contents transferred to the National Trust by the Treasury in lieu of CTT in 1985 with an endowment provided by the NHMF.
Marks and inscriptions
Paper note in box.: Head of Medusa - said to be very valuable given to my mother by her father and left to Isabel Jane Crewe. Hair I believe our mother M.A. Crewe.