Accession Number

2020.010.001.001

Description

A horse-shoe shaped hair wreath in an unornamented gilt shadow box frame. The wreath is comprised primarily of brown, black, and grey hair and shaped into a cluster of flowers, concentrated at the bottom. Smaller looped pieces represent leaves and other foliage. It is mounted onto a mesh backing.

Narrative

Various artistic creations were made of human and sometimes animal hair during the 19^th Century. Hairwork included items of personal adornment such as broaches, necklaces and earrings, but also larger artworks mounted in shadow box frames, including wreaths like this example and also https://collection.thecastle.ca/Detail/objects/6190

This example by Mrs. Fields is mated with a contemporaneous chart which provides the identities of the 29 family members who provided her with their hair which was then used in particular locations in the wreath. That chart can be viewed here: https://collection.thecastle.ca/Detail/objects/9240

History of Use

This hair wreath was made by Mrs. Fields in Iowa in the 1870s and brought to Victoria, BC by the donor’s mother's father's parents in the early 20^th Century.

Date

circa 1870

Dimensions

34.5 x 37 x 5 cm

Material

Hair, Human; Metal; Fabric; Wire; Wood; Metal, gold

Support

Fabric

Technique

Knotted

Country of Origin

United States