Unusual Victorian Hair Mourning Buttons educational toys Substantial

Substantial

The box measures 10" x 4 3/4" x 1 1/4"

and then adhered to the wooden base

with pin holes in corners as noted and some surface wear along the edges as evident and documented

Long rectangular chips measure 2 3/16" x 13/16"

Unusual Victorian Hair Mourning Buttons educational toys SubstantialI've never seen the likes of these, which I believe are Victorian mourning buttons, made with blonde hair encased in finely wrapped and knotted blue cord and thread, silk I believe. One presumes these were made to be sewn to a garment perhaps like toggles on a shawl or coat but I'm not entirely sure. Whatever the case, quite unusual as far as I know, and feeling like literal capsules of another time (and specific person!), which could easily be strung