English Pearl Ring With Hair Inlay, Biedermeier ca. 1825

Gifts made of human hair were commonplace in the 18th and 19th centuries. Particularly in the Biedermeier period, family, elective affinities and the circle of friends played a major role - the Romantic era was characterised by particular sensitivity. In this context, pieces of jewellery made of or using hair were created as particularly personal gifts (because hair is, after all, a part of one's own body!) to express an intimate bond. In popular belief, hair is the seat of life force. Whoever possesses a hair from another has power over him. Therefore, whoever gives his hair to another, hands himself over to him, so to speak, and gives him a part of his own body: "A hair ties stronger than the strongest iron cord" is reported in old fairy tales, as one can read in the "Handwörterbuch des deutschen Aberglaubens" (Dictionary of German Superstition). The simplest form of hair ornament that has survived to this day is the curl in a locket or the braided hair chain that the loving wife gave as a gift to the young husband. The ring presented here reminds us of an intimate friendship through an artfully woven inlay of hair in a frame of pearls. Genuine pearls, soft and shimmering white, frame the approximately 200-year-old hairwork, which is protectively kept behind glass. The delicate ring band shows delicate engravings on the shoulders and is beautifully preserved - as is the rest of the ring, which found its way to us in London.

Estimate:£671.04

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