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from the archive
PoissardeEarringswith Hair Lockets
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These earrings' style is known as poissarde, which translates from French as "fishwife". It's possible they're named for the female fish sellers who allegedly wore them while selling their goods in the Paris market of Les Halles. The alternate explanation (more believable & less fun) is that they are named for the vaguely fish hook shape. These rare poissarde earrings feature back-to-front earwires and two hair lockets (with hairwork belonging to two separate people!). No assay marks, but most likely they are of French origin.

thedetails

  • Materials

    14k gold (tests), hair, glass

  • Age

    c. 1800

  • Condition

    Very good

  • Size

    1 1/4" length, 3/4" depth, lockets are 3/8" in diameter

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Georgian

Aboutthe

GeorgianEra

17141837

RelatedHistory Lesson

Hair Jewelry:Worn in Remembrance

Jewelry made from hair allowed the bereaved to keep their loved one with them always.

RelatedHistory Lesson

Lockets:Magical, Medicinal, Memorial.

It’s hard to pinpoint when modern-day lockets were invented, but it’s believed that they evolved from ancient amulets.