This silver case with repoussé design features a central glazed oval locket containing a lock of William Morris’s hair. The case is fastened at top, bottom and sides to wooden backing with silver studs. The lock of hair was cut from Morris’s head after his death by John Carruthers, who was closely associated with Morris as a Socialist and accompanied Morris on his voyage to Norway in 1896.
Two very similar cases exist, one in the collection of the Society of Antiquaries at Kelmscott Manor, donated by Virginia Surtees which has minor differences in shape of rose leaves and border. Another gold case with different floral features is in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum (M.33-1939) and was bequeathed by May Morris. The cases was designed by Robert Catterson-Smith, a metalworker who had also assisted in the preparation of some illustrations and decorative elements for Morris’s Kelmscott Press publications. A photograph of the Kelmscott Manor’s silver case has the caption ‘Silver. designed and executed by me R.C.S’.
This version was given by Gilbert Carruthers, who’s sister Amy Tozer bequested to the Gallery: “My sister has a lock of his hair which she said in her last wishes were to go to your museum, if you wish for it…..” Amy and Gilbert’s father was John Curruthers, who accompanied Morris on his final trip to Norway, undertaken just months before Morris died.
