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.
The case was made 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. The case was almost certainly designed by Philip Webb and similar motifs of roses appear on a teapot designed by Webb in 1902, now in the Victoria & Albert Museum, and on a pair of brass candlesticks now in the church at Kelmscott.
Two very similar cases exist, one in the collection of the Society of Antiquaries at Kelmscott Manor, donated by Mrs 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.
