Mourning bracelet

1850-1880

Hair, metal

Overall (closed): 5/8 × 3 × 1 in. (1.6 × 7.6 × 2.5 cm)

Gift of Sarah Lathrop Hunter

1933.137c

This bracelet is made from the hair of Sarah Eayers Davis, Phebe Ann Davis, and Matthew Livingston Davis (1783-1850), ancestors of the donor. Matthew Davis was a New York journalist, but is probably best known for his close friendship with Aaron Burr. He was present at the duel when Burr shot Alexander Hamilton; later he published Burr's private papers in two books. For many years Davis was a sachem in the Tammany Society, and was grand sachem from 1814-1815.

DescriptionDark brown mourning bracelet, made of plaited hair with a metal clasp fastener; the design resembles a chain running the length of the braclet, with two narrow rows of plaiting along each outer edge; the clasp is medallion-shaped at the center with arabesque-shaped side pieces, all worked in acanthus leaf design.

ClassificationsJEWELRY