Hair receiver facts for kids
A hair receiver was a small pot, often made of ceramic, bronze, or crystal. It had a hole in its lid. People in the Victorian era (from about 1837 to 1901) kept these pots on their dressing tables. They used them to store hair that came out of their brushes and combs.
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What Were Hair Receivers Used For?
Hair receivers had a small hole, just wide enough for a finger. This allowed people to easily push collected hair inside the pot. People didn't just throw this hair away! They found clever ways to reuse it.
Hair for Hairstyles
One main use for the collected hair was to create "ratts" (sometimes spelled "rats"). These were small bags, about 8 to 10 centimeters wide. Women used these ratts to add volume and shape to their hairstyles. Imagine wanting a big, puffy hairstyle – these ratts helped make it happen! Sometimes, the hair was even woven or braided together to form these shapes directly. This helped women achieve the tall and full hairstyles that were very popular during the Victorian times.
Other Uses for Hair
The hair collected in these receivers wasn't just for hairstyles. It was also used to make beautiful hair jewellery. People would weave or braid the hair into necklaces, bracelets, or brooches.
Hair was also used to stuff small items. It was softer than feathers, so it was perfect for filling pincushions and tiny decorative cushions.
What Did Hair Receivers Look Like?
Hair receivers often came with other matching items. These could include a trinket box for small treasures or a powder jar. They were usually part of a set for a dressing table.
Most hair receivers were made from porcelain, which is a type of fine ceramic. However, you could also find them made from glass, metal, or an early plastic called celluloid. Glass receivers often had fancy tops made of silver or silver-plated metal. They were most commonly shaped like circles or ovals.
Why Did They Stop Using Them?
The use of hair receivers started to decline in the early 1900s. This was because shorter hairstyles became much more fashionable for women. With less long hair to collect, these special pots were no longer needed as much.
