This object is a locket made of hairwork in memory of and mourning the death of Sir John William Taylor.
The locket is heart-shaped with a gold frame. The front features a portrait of Sir John William Taylor, while the back contains a lock of his hair.
In the mid-19th century, it was fashionable to create and wear hairwork as a means of mourning the deceased. Although this practise existed long before, it gained prominence during the Victorian era, driven by the influence of Queen Vitoria. Hairwork reached its peak during this period, with people crafting the hair of the deceased into various forms of jewelry and art, including necklaces, bracelets, lockets, earrings, and paintings, blending mourning, sentimentality, and fashion in an intricate manner. This practise of commemorating and honouring the dead through jewelry art first emerged in England and France and subsequently spread to the United States.
Due to the flourishing of this artistic culture, the Victorian era is described as a “sentimental” period. Many notable individuals, including Queen Victoria and Napoleon, possessed their own hairwork. The “Leila’s Hair Museum” in Missouri, USA, displays various hair art pieces from the 18th century onward, showcasing the history and development of this unique artistic form.