Historic Treasure of the Week - November 28, 1982
By Dorothy W. Jerse
Curator, Vigo County Historical Society
Historic Treasure of the Week - November 28, 1982
By Dorothy W. Jerse
Curator, Vigo County Historical Society
A selection of fine hairwork from the collection of the Vigo County Historical Society is featured this week at the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 South Sixth Street.
The creation of items from human hair has not enjoyed a revival in the craft world today; it remains an art from the past. This intricate work was first fashioned into memorial jewelry in the 1700s using locks of loved ones' hair. By the 1800s the hairwork creations were sentimental tokens for the living, often exchanged at the time of engagement or marriage.
First the work of artists and jewelers, hairwork was adopted as a hobby by the Victorians in the second half of the century. Patterns and instructions for weaving and plaiting process were featured in the popular "Peterson's" magazine and in Godey's Lady's Book. Tools and supplies included a knife, tweezers, porcelain palette, curling iron and sticks of gum made from yellow wax and shellac.
The hair was sorted by length and tightly tied together. It was then soaked in a solution of water and baking soda, dried and divided into bunches by length. Each bundle, containing 20 to 30 strands, was knotted and attached to a small weight. The opposite ends were tied, gummed and rolled into "sticks" which were woven or plaited sometimes over assorted hollow tubes and molds.
The pieces of hairwork shown above are typical: a wreath which was used under glass as wall decor, a watch chain, a floral ornament, and a pair of earrings for pierced ears. A number or persons have contributed these and other examples of hairwork to the Society's collection. Examples of the delicate craft are on display in the handwork case on the second floor of the museum.
Open hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday through Friday.