The gold work is handmade of 18 karat yellow gold and the hair work artist wove perfect pattern of hairwork “lace” in the center of the cross. The work was done by a master hairwork artist. The gold work is hand engraved and from Pennsylvania and Pre-Civil War circa 1855.
"Hair is at once the most delicate and last of our materials and survives us like
love. It is so light, so gentle, so escaping from the idea of death, that, with a
lock of hair belonging to a child or friend we may almost look up to heaven
and compare notes with angelic nature, may almost say, I have a piece of thee
here, not unworthy of thy being now.""
Hair jewelry functioned as a keepsake of the dead and as a memento mori, a reminder that death was an ever-present possibility; the wearer was constantly reminded that she should lead a good life because death could strike without warning. Often a wearer would add more hair pieces to a glass-covered brooch when additional relatives or friends passed away. Hair jewelry was not always worn to commemorate the dead; lovers also wore pieces made from the couple’s hair."
Reference is from HISTORY OF HAIR JEWELRY IN VICTORIAN AMERICA
The gold Cross is 1 ½ inches tall by 1 inch wide. The pendant comes with a 14kt gold chain.