Portable Property

More about the book

The book explores the Victorian fascination with portable objects, such as hair-jewelry and memorial rings, as symbols of religious sentiment, family connections, and national identity. It delves into how these everyday items transformed into cherished relics, reflecting a desire to maintain Englishness while living abroad. In a time when the British Empire was expanding, the relationship between monetary value and sentimental significance shifted, particularly in items like teacups, rings, and books, highlighting the emotional weight of personal mementoes.