An 1870s studio portrait of young Master Hackett of Whanganui shows him wearing a black armband – a sign that he was mourning the recent death of a close relative. Wearing black clothes, black armbands or mourning jewellery for a defined period was a sign of respect for the dead and a way of conveying news of a bereavement to others. It was an important aspect of Victorian etiquette.
Using this item
Alexander Turnbull Library, William James Harding Collection (PAColl-3042)
Reference:
1/4-005155-G
Photograph by William James Harding
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.
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