Victorian Papercraft Hair Memento

Notes: A small, charming, and well-executed handmade papercut memento enclosing locks of hair, possible from two sisters, dated 1874 and 1875. The enclosure is in the form of a paper lantern made from two pieces of lined paper. The lower piece is trimmed with a delicately scalloped edge. The upper piece, which is sewn to the lower, has an octagonal pattern of cuts—several dozen— that creates a dome shape when the loop of string at the top is pulled.

When the string loop is lifted, two locks of hair, captioned in pencil, "Nathaniel Knight, June 16, 1874" and "Martha Knight, October 21, 1875." The differing dates suggest this might be a memento mori, but it may just be a Victorian souvenir assembled by someone who kept and dated locks of hair. In any case, this is a very nice Victorian hair souvenir, well executed with simple materials.

Approximately four-inches in diameter.

Edition + Condition: In fine condition, with no tears or missing pieces. A remarkable survivor.

Publication: 1875.

Item No: #307599

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