This 19th-century gold keepsake ring contains a secret compartment that once contained hair.
Hairwork was worn both in commemoration of the dead and as a keepsake between lovers, friends or family.
If you look closely at this example, you can see that there are openings on the inner surface of the ring so that the hair could sit next to the wearer’s skin.
The eye at the front watched over and looked after the wearer
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