Hairwork wreath in the form of a lyre
Lyres and harps are favorite subjects of Victorian hairwork. The motifs link an art form associated with death to an emblem of resurrection and angels. Large wreaths like this one incorporate hair from multiple generations of a family, including the living and the dead, but all hair art ultimately becomes a memorial. This lyre-shaped example echoes the power of music to remind us of life’s transience.
Artwork Details
- Title: Hairwork wreath in the form of a lyre
- Date: ca. 1870
- Medium: Human hair, paper, wire, and wood
- Dimensions: 23 x 20 x 4 in.
- Classification: Decorative arts
- Credit Line: Department of Musical Instruments, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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