Mourning Jewelry - Anna Schwamborn

Watch chain tear catcher.

Mourning jewelry is one of the oldest and most familiar forms of hair art. In this contemporary iteration, design student Anna Schwamborn, uses human hair and human ashes mixed with black bone china to execute her designs. Anna points out that, "Human remains act as an important medium of remembering a passed away loved one and are some of the longest lasting and most individual natural materials."

Rosary and necklace.

At once ethereal and corporeal, these materials are not only aspects of the deceased, the physical corpse, but also honor the spirit of a passed loved one. Similar to Victorian mourning jewelry, Anna's pieces "are supposed to be worn close to the body of the mourner symbolizing a lasting physical connection between two individuals even after death. Furthermore this collection is supposed to remind the wearer on the fragility and appreciation of life and most importantly, acting as a keepsake."

The 2009 series, called Mourning Objects, comprises a rosary, a necklace, and a watch chain tear catcher. Schwamborn has worked for Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood and has studied at Central St Martins in London.