Hair-Ring
Date2000 BC-500 AD
MediumFaience
DimensionsObject/Work: 19.05 mm
ClassificationsPersonal Ornament
Terms
Object numberC00418
DescriptionCircular hair ring with a small cleft. It is made of red glazed composition with a projecting cremated ridge round the middle. It has a line of beading around the circumference. These are sometimes referred to as earrings as some have been found at the ears of the deceased. Due to the thickness, decoration and thinness of the cleft it seems unlikely that these would have been worn as earrings by the living. It is now commonly accepted that they are either hair-rings or token jewellery for the deceased, not meant to be worn.
From the sale of the Surrey Museum, July 1836. The Surrey Museum was a privately owned museum, located in Walworth near to where Richard Cuming lived. This museum was connected with the nearby Surrey Zoological Gardens. Richard Cuming’s sale receipt shows he bought Egyptian, Etruscan and Greek objects. The Egyptian objects were associated with both Giovanni Belzoni, Giovanni D'Athanasi and Henry Salt, all very important early collectors and importers of Egyptian antiquities.
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