Franz Liszt (Sopron, Hungary, 1811 - 1886, Bayreuth, Germany)
Lock of Franz Liszt's Hair in a Box, about 1886
Human hair; silver filigree box, 3.5 x 0.7 cm (1 3/8 x 1/4 in.)
This tiny, round silver box with an ornamental pattern contains a lock of light-colored hair. The top of the box is slightly domed with scalloped edges and a balled knob at the top center. The pattern is compromised 6 petal motifs each containing a swirled design. The side of the box is a solid silver band that shows a great deal of surface wear. The bottom of the box, similar to the top, also features the silver ornamental pattern with scalloped edges. The flat bottom features a silver disk in the center, which has tarnished.
Yellow Room
Commentary
This lock of hair belonged to composer Franz Liszt. He passed away during a musical festival devoted to the works of Richard Wagner in Bayreuth, Germany, in July 1886. Isabella Stewart Gardner, who was also attending the festival, supported Liszt’s grieving friends and family. She ordered a wreath that was placed beside Queen Victoria’s at the funeral, and was the first to cast a shovel of earth onto his coffin.