45. HaIR Wreath

This 19^th-century framed hair wreath from the Holland family of Brookeville was donated in 1979 by a descendant, Margery Holland Friel. Although jewelry containing or made of the hair of deceased family members was often worn for mourning or remembrance, this framed piece was probably intended to celebrate a wedding or anniversary between the 1830s and 1880s, most likely made by one or more ladies of the Holland family.

By family tradition, it was created for the wedding of Grafton Holland and Ellen Claggett in 1834, but it seems more characteristic of the later Victorian-era interest in elaborate fancywork. Perhaps it was made to celebrate an anniversary of that 1834 wedding. At the 1880 Rockville Fair, the prize for “Best Hair Work” was awarded to a “Miss H. Holland;” perhaps that was Grafton and Ellen’s daughter, Hannah Holland (1849-1883).

Small pieces might combine locks from the maker’s parents or children. Large wreaths were usually made of hair from an extended network of friends and relations. The donor remembers that in this 30” x 24” frame, the inner element was fashioned from family hair, the outer horseshoe from the hairs of family friends. These formal pictures and wreaths would have been displayed in the parlor or other public room of a home as a record of family and friends and happy times, but also as an expression of pride in the maker’s skill.

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