posted on November 22, 2003 09:59:22 AM new
Hi, I put up a pair of Victorian black earrings for a friend of my cousins, she told me they were family heirlooms and they were horsehair from her great grandparents. I listed them under horsehair antique earrings, someone was kind enough to email me, she said they are called mourning earrings, made from human hair and they are just delightful. I was not familiar with the term at all, and was gratefull that she had emailed me. I spoke with the mother of the girl who told me yes, they are human hair, they felt her daughter would never wear them if she was told they are human hair, the daughter also told me they were converted to pierced in the 60's the mother told me these are original and they never converted them. Although unmarked these tested at 14K gold or rose-gold.The person who was kind enough to email me wrote and told me that these or a very similar pair is in Jeanne Bells Hair jewelry book for $550.00 and that was in 1998. I tried to get the book.The only store near me that offered to order it was Books-a-million. I am told that this family needs the money for the holidays so I would like to get it listed and sold, especially when she told me to start at $9.99 with a reserve of $99.00. I normally do not like to do reserve auctions but I did follow the request.There were no bids so I canceled the auction. I am very sorry this is long but I never had a situation like this before.Pix are below, here is my question if someone here has the book, can this be verified, or would you think it would be OK to say that I am told this listed for $550.00 give the book and the year. The person that emailed me told me she believes these should be listed for what they truly are and Hopes I do well with them I do not doubt her sincerity at all.
Reenie
I don't get even....I get even better Jimmy Hoffa
[ edited by lattefor2 on Nov 22, 2003 10:13 AM ]
posted on November 22, 2003 10:21:08 AM new
thank you lurkyloo, you managed to come in when I was trying to redo them, then I got a little surprised wondering how I could not post them and then there were 2, until I saw your name. I appreciate that. This board is the greatest.
reenie
I don't get even....I get even better Jimmy Hoffa
posted on November 22, 2003 12:10:03 PM new
A very similar pair shown in the hardcover edition of the book "Collector's Encyclopedia of Hairwork Jewelry", C. Jeanenne Bell, G.G., Collector Books, 1998.
Page 141, Plate 440. Earrings ca. 1850-70. Gold girandole mountings with table-worked hair. Approx 2 1/4 x 7/8 inches. $550.
I do not know much about jewelry, and cannot see these in person, but the wire for the ear seems to be similar to the ones shown on earrings in the book. However, it also appears from your picture that the the space between the two "umbrellas" attached to the wire has remnants of a hairwork sphere that filled that space (and can be seen in other earrings in this book). If this is so, and if there is additional/other damage to the hair, this would diminish their value. Also, as with any price guide, prices from a specialist dealer may not reflect the average market for these items.
posted on November 22, 2003 12:27:26 PM new
Mourning jewelry is very collectible. it does appear that a globe has been cut away from the top of both of these....perhaps one was very damaged so they did this to make them more presentable.
I would list them as human hair mourning jewelry. You should definitely get some hits...maybe mention what the reserve is in your auction.
posted on November 22, 2003 01:39:40 PM new
Official 1985 Price guide to Antique Jewelry by Kaplan lists your earrings as Ball and Moon motif, woven hair, gold, brooch and earrings 1870 $400-450. page 576. There is a ball missing in the upper part of your earrings.
Sorry about the photo but the book is so thick and it is in the inside by the binding.
Good Luck.
[ edited by Libra63 on Nov 22, 2003 01:40 PM ]
posted on November 23, 2003 07:24:01 AM new
Hi all, thank you so much I am going to list these today, Yes rariffle, this had to be a feat, they are so tightly woven, Libra your scan showed the intricacies beautifully,Damariscotta thank you for confirming the jewelry book for me.
Reenie
I don't get even....I get even better Jimmy Hoffa
