unidentified sitter

Artist: Henri, Pierre
Date: ca. 1790

Miniatures could be worn as lockets, necklaces or bracelets, as seen here. It is unusual for braided hair to survive into the 20th century as the fastener of choice. Often family members would exchange the hair for ribbon or pearls, whatever was most fashionable at the time. Here, however, we have five beautifully preserved hollow tubes of hair, carefully braided to mimic metalwork.



  • Artist's Dates: act. 1788 - 1818
  • Artist's Nationality: French
  • Medium: Watercolor
  • Support: Ivory
  • Dimensions: 1 5/8 X 1 3/8 Inches
  • Credit: Transfer with The Charleston Museum
  • Period: 18th century
  • Accession Number: 1993.006.0016
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