Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2005.1.36 |
Object Name |
Wreath, Hair |
Title |
C.A.G. Sept 6 1858 |
Date |
09/06/1858 |
Description |
A framed hairwork in a floral pattern with dark greens and browns. It has a dark wood frame with a glass covering and gold trim. The hairwork is mounted on cream-coloured satin fabric. On the bottom of the hair work, "C.A.G. Sept 6 1858" is embroidered on the backing with hair. A card on the back of the frame reads: "Catharine Amelia Greeniaus. Daughter of Peter Greeniaus. Born - April 30 1834. Died- October 15, 1859". |
History |
This hairwork belonged to Catherine Amelia Greeniaus, daughter of Peter Greeniaus and Elizabeth Ann Oliphant, of Sherdian, Toronto Township (historic Mississauga). Unlike other parts of the body, hair does not decompose and, therefore, was used as a lasting keepsake. As Godey's Lady's Book pointed out in 1860, "Hair is at once the most delicate and lasting of our materials and survives us like love". Women, in particular, often wore their hair long and commonly kept the hair from their hairbrushes or trims to stuff pin cushions, create elaborate updos or as a material for fancy work projects like hair wreaths. Hairwork could be used to remember both happy and tragic events. During the Victorian era, there was reverence for mourning. After the death of her husband in 1861, Queen Victoria went into a 40-year mourning period that lasted the rest of her life. In turn, mourning became fashionable. Before widespread photography, collecting and keeping the hair of the deceased was often the only tangible part of a person that could be kept to remember the loved one by. Hair wreaths used in mourning rituals were often positioned in a U-shape with the top open to symbolize the soul ascending to heaven, a lasting reminder that death was not the end. Further, mourning hair wreaths could also serve as family genealogies. Where one fits in the hair works in relation to others all told the family history. Hair could be collected from several (living or deceased) members of the family and woven together to create such a piece. However, hairwork could also include romantic keepsakes from a loved one or family mementos. Hair wreaths could have served as memorabilia from a loved one or an important time in one’s life, commemorating a major life event such as a first communion or a wedding. Further, young, middle-class Victorian women practiced certain crafting skills by completing fancy work that could be displayed in the home, which could include embroidery, cross-stitch, and hair work among many others. This was particularly common among unmarried women as learning these crafts would help them develop the types of skills useful to married women such as sewing or mending. Books such as Mrs. C. S. Jones' 1876 guide entitled, "Ladies' fancy work: Hints and Helps to Home Taste and Recreations", taught women the steps and skills needed to create fancy work like hair ornamentation. According to Jones, "As the hair is the only part of our beloved friends that can be kept in memoriam, it is natural that we should desire to preserve the treasure in some way that will testify our appreciation of its value…". However, family stories have been mixed regarding the exact usage of this hair wreath with some speculating it was done as a mourning piece for Catherine Amelia, while others believe it was for her wedding. The hair wreath is dated September 6, 1858, but it is unclear what this date symbolizes. Catherine Amelia died at the age of 25 years old on October 15, 1859 and there is no evidence she was ever married. Perhaps more likely, it was completed by Catherine as a family memento before her death, incorporating hair from multiple family members. This theory seems like a likely scenario as hair from several different people is present on this hair wreath. As a young woman, this type of fancy work would have been an activity she may have likely completed prior to her death. |
References |
Cenzi, I. (2021, January 15). "Victorian hairwork: Interview with Courtney Lane". Bizzarro Bazar. Retrieved from https://www.bizzarrobazar.com/en/2018/01/04/i-ricami-di-capelli-vittoriani-intervista-a-courtney-lane/ Jones, C. S., Mrs. "Ladies' Fancy Work". New York: H.T. Williams, 1876. Kupfer, S. "Tender Remembrance: The Art of Victorian Hairwork". Ohio Memory, 2017. Retrieved from: https://ohiomemory.ohiohistory.org/archives/3206 Schuette, B. "The Hair Wreath". Sauk County Historical Society. Retrieved from: https://saukcountyhistory.org/the-hair-wreath Wallace, Carol. "Victorian Treasures". New York, 1993. |
People |
Greeniaus, Catherine Amelia Greeniaus, Peter Johann Oliphant, Elizabeth Ann |
Search Terms |
Sheridan |