Internet Investigator

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/antiquesuncommontreasure/item/203hairartpin2

http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip553.htm

1.) What is the purpose of human hair brooches?

Another name for these brooches is a mourning brooch. The brooches have the hairs of dead loved ones so that family members in them. These brooches are sentimental objects they are a way to remember those loved ones who have passes on.

2.) What is something interesting that you learned about these odd brooches from these websites?

I found it interesting that some people would have money in their wills to make these odd pieces of jewelry after they died for the mourners that attended their funeral.

3.) What are your feelings about these brooches?

I think that the jewelry is odd and peculiar, but if I had a lived one to pass on it may be nice to have a literal piece of them with you at all times. The jewelry would act as a reminder that you could look at other than a picture, that you could carry with you at all times.

4.) What part does history have to play with these brooches?

These brooches are passed down in families and carry a history of the person with them. The jewelry carries the history so it is never forgotten.

5.) If one of your grandparents gave you a brooch that had family member’s hair in it would you wear it, why or why not?

If one of my grandparents gave me brooch with human hair I would only wear it if I knew the family member. If I received a brooch like this and knew the family member and had feelings for them I would wear the brooch, maybe not everyday, but when I would mourn for them or for special occasions, like birthdays or Veteran’s Day. I think that men would have a more difficult time with this concept and would not be as willing to wear the brooch. I kinda like the idea of having a piece of you loved ones with you especially if you have a hard time getting over a death.