Antique French 18k Yellow Gold Clasp & Woven Hair Bracelet, c. 1840-60

Surviving in magnificent condition, this mid-1800s French hair art jewelry item must not have been worn or used. Cherished as the memento it is of someone well loved in her time, the bracelet is a gorgeous chestnut brunette, very long hair used in the weave so would have been a woman or perhaps the long cut locks of a child (boys’ hair was not cut until they were about 4 or 5, and sometimes the long cut locks were saved by Mothers. We won’t know who this memorializes now what the occasion. Perhaps a bride’s gift to her husband, but it’s a lot of hair used here. A superb long and adjustable bracelet with hallmarked 18k gold clasp (French eagle’s head marks guarantee 18k solid gold). A treasure! Oddly, the last 2 of these we’ve had both were stolen from us with credit card fraud. I guess some collector cares little for other people! Hope this one does not end up there.

Very good to excellent condition for age and type, this one is spectacular! I find only one spot where the hair weave is even rough at all, and that seems like an original issue of the procedure of weaving the long tresses. You can look at our enlarged images to evaluate for yourself. Looks like it was never worn. The bracelet adjusts to fit any wrist.