Lovely antique French Napoleon III era hair art mourning icon or Memento, displayed in an oval ebonized wood bombe style frame and featuring curled locks of hair and tomb with “A Ma Mere” inscrition, hair foliage surroundings and hand painted accents!
The Napoleon III era (1852-1870) in France was a time rich in both artistic expression and complex cultural practices, including the unique art of hairwork. This "hair art" form, which evolved significantly during the 19th century, was not only an aesthetic choice but also a powerful symbolic gesture, especially in the context of mourning rituals.
During the Victorian and Napoleonic eras, mourning customs played an essential role in the social fabric, and hairwork, also known as hair art or hair jewelry, became a poignant way to commemorate the deceased. Hair was believed to be imbued with personal significance, often being considered the most intimate part of a person’s body. It was common to collect the hair of loved ones and transform it into intricate works of art, jewelry, and memorial items. In many cases, it became a tangible token of remembrance, particularly for those who had passed away.
Hair mourning art was heavily influenced by the romanticism of the period, which often idealized death as part of the cycle of life. These items were often used to mourn loved ones, but the emotional weight was also tied to Victorian ideals of memory, loss, and eternal love. Hairwork was not just about loss; it also signified continuity—a way to keep the departed “alive” through a tangible, personal connection. The curled locks of hair at the heart of the work are indicative of the intricate hairwork technique, where strands were carefully woven or coiled into decorative shapes. This practice was common in the mourning period, symbolizing not only the person’s death but also their ongoing presence in memory.
The inscription “A Ma Mere” (meaning "To My Mother") places the piece squarely in the realm of personal grief, likely crafted to commemorate a beloved mother. The tomb depicted in the artwork would have been a central feature, underscoring the mournful tone of the piece. The symbolism of the tomb was potent in the 19th century, as it represented not only the finality of death but also the hope for resurrection and reunion in the afterlife.
Very good condition, age & materials considered. The frame is in wonderful condition, only a few minor signs of its age and the original deeply convex glass is intact & undamaged. The glass panel on which the hair art is affixed has a white paint on the back side to make the hair art really stand out and has only a few small specks of loss around the edges. Some loose hairs, as are evident in the images. See images for all measurements.
