It is likely that this hair decoration was worn as part of a lady's mourning outfit.

This tear drop shaped hair decoration is made of machine made lace. A band of black lace flowers surrounds the central circular panel. The outer border contains rows of floral and leaf designs.

After her beloved husband's untimely death in 1861, Queen Victoria continued in mourning; wearing only black items of clothing, until her own death in 1901. Her example greatly effected mourning fashions across the United Kingdom and the British Empire.