Tokens of remembrance

Typically, we think of war when we think of remembrance because of the great outpouring of mourning associated with these world events, and there are several items in our collections that relate to this.

At Weaver’s Cottage are a group of scarlet poppies, forever the symbol of the First World War. These early examples are made of cloth and marked HAIGS FUND. They represent the start of the Remembrance Day movement in 1921, the cloth poppies produced, sold and bought in memory of soldiers who died at war. More practically, the sale of the poppies raised essential funds to help find jobs and homes for returning soldiers. Over time, Remembrance Day poppies have become smaller, less individual and mostly disposable, but one look is still enough to impart their meaning.

An obvious statement of public remembrance are war memorials, their monumentality a strong and permanent reminder of human endeavour, suffering and loss. The idea of a Scottish National War Memorial to commemorate the Scots and Scottish regiments involved in the First World War was first raised in 1917, and in 1919 Robert Lorimer of Kellie Castle was appointed as the architect. This poster, encouraging public donations to the cause, shows designs for a striking monument that was never built. Among fears that the heritage of Edinburgh Castle, the chosen site for the commemorative cloisters and shrine, might be compromised, Lorimer’s initial vision was dropped. Instead, a scaled-back approach was adopted, incorporating the memorial, beautifully worked by contemporary Scottish craftsmen and women, into an existing barrack block.

Behind every public statement of grief and remembrance there are personal stories, and not just relating to war. This lovely cameo portrait commemorates the Hon James Henry Hamilton-Gordon, son of the 6th Earl and Countess of Aberdeen of Haddo, who died aged 22. In the 19th century it wasn’t uncommon to carry a personal memento of a family member, often in the form of jewellery. This is a particularly fine piece, painted by John Smart and set in a gold frame decorated with pearls. On the reverse is a glass window enclosing James’s hair, finely plaited. The hair is surprisingly dark compared to the powdered image presented on the front – perhaps the private man as opposed to the public face. The whole ensemble speaks of love and devotion in a piece that could be carried close in a personal act of memorial but was also worn for others to see in a public act of mourning.

The Victorians are, of course, famed for their displays of mourning, and none more so than Queen Victoria with her lifetime of black dresses and deep grief following the death of Prince Albert. In our collections there are references to the clear social codes and customs developed around death and mourning, in the form of archival material (instructions or bills for funeral processions), dress and mourning rings.