headdress
Quick Summary
A headdress is a covering for the head, often with a shaped crown. Hats, a type of headdress, can serve practical purposes like protection from the elements, but they also frequently signify fashion sense or ceremonial roles. Throughout history, various cultures have used headdresses to denote status, rank, or cultural identity. For example, ancient Romans used a cap as a badge of the plebeian class, and freed slaves were given one. In some Indigenous cultures of the Great Plains, the warbonnet, made of eagle feathers, is a significant headdress earned through accomplishment and worn in ceremonies.1234
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jewelryChineseThere are accounts of elaborate headdresses, some no doubt of the kind representing a complete phoenix such as are to be seen on clay tomb statuettes of the Tang period, but no surviving examples of these can be attributed with certainty to the Song period. Jade ornaments during this period…
Read MoreThere are accounts of elaborate headdresses, some no doubt of the kind representing a complete phoenix such as are to be seen on clay tomb statuettes of the Tang period, but no surviving examples of these can be attributed with certainty to the Song period. Jade ornaments during this period…
Read More- jewelrySoutheast Asian
…of them are the conical headdress, reflecting the traditional architectural form of the stupa (Buddhist shrine), and the bejeweled rigid shoulder decorations with a raised line similar to that of pagoda roofs, worn by dancers in addition to arm and ankle bracelets, belts, and brooches made of gold and coloured…
Read More…of them are the conical headdress, reflecting the traditional architectural form of the stupa (Buddhist shrine), and the bejeweled rigid shoulder decorations with a raised line similar to that of pagoda roofs, worn by dancers in addition to arm and ankle bracelets, belts, and brooches made of gold and coloured…
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dressMesopotamiaThe royal headdress resembled a pleated crown or a mitre and had dependent lappets at the rear. Jeweled ornamentation to the costume was rich and heavy and of high quality.
Read MoreThe royal headdress resembled a pleated crown or a mitre and had dependent lappets at the rear. Jeweled ornamentation to the costume was rich and heavy and of high quality.
Read More- dressNative Americans
…of regalia was a feathered headdress, which sometimes included buffalo horns, ermine tails, and quillwork. Women’s hair was generally worn long, either loose, plaited, or held in place by a headband.
Read More…of regalia was a feathered headdress, which sometimes included buffalo horns, ermine tails, and quillwork. Women’s hair was generally worn long, either loose, plaited, or held in place by a headband.
Read More - dressThe Middle East from the 6th century
The characteristic masculine Arab headdress has been the kaffiyeh. It is still worn today, although it may now accompany a business suit. Basically, the kaffiyeh is a square of cotton, linen, wool, or silk, either plain or patterned, that is folded into a triangle and placed upon the head…
Read MoreThe characteristic masculine Arab headdress has been the kaffiyeh. It is still worn today, although it may now accompany a business suit. Basically, the kaffiyeh is a square of cotton, linen, wool, or silk, either plain or patterned, that is folded into a triangle and placed upon the head…
Read More - dressMedieval Europe
Such headdresses were known by a variety of names, including barbette, fillet, and touret.
Read MoreSuch headdresses were known by a variety of names, including barbette, fillet, and touret.
Read More - dressMedieval Europe
Women’s headdresses were extremely varied. Hair was still long, plaited, and coiled over the ears. These coils might be enclosed in metal mesh jeweled nets called cauls and were worn with a veil. In the 15th century turbans—a Byzantine style that had been introduced in Italy—were…
Read MoreWomen’s headdresses were extremely varied. Hair was still long, plaited, and coiled over the ears. These coils might be enclosed in metal mesh jeweled nets called cauls and were worn with a veil. In the 15th century turbans—a Byzantine style that had been introduced in Italy—were…
Read More - dressEurope, 1500–1800
The fashionable lady’s headdress was a hood made of dark velvet, with long flaps or folds hanging down the back and sides. The face was framed in front by a jeweled metal frame shaped like a pyramid (the English hood) or a horseshoe (the French hood). Under this…
Read MoreThe fashionable lady’s headdress was a hood made of dark velvet, with long flaps or folds hanging down the back and sides. The face was framed in front by a jeweled metal frame shaped like a pyramid (the English hood) or a horseshoe (the French hood). Under this…
Read More - dressEurope, 1500–1800
Ladies wore a tall headdress—the fontange—consisting of tiers of wired lace decorated by ribbons and lappets.
Read MoreLadies wore a tall headdress—the fontange—consisting of tiers of wired lace decorated by ribbons and lappets.
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- jewelrySumerian
On the queen’s head were three diadems, each smaller than the one below it, fastened to a wide gold band: the first, which came down to cover the forehead, was formed of large interlocking rings, while the second and third were made of realistically designed poplar and willow…
Read MoreOn the queen’s head were three diadems, each smaller than the one below it, fastened to a wide gold band: the first, which came down to cover the forehead, was formed of large interlocking rings, while the second and third were made of realistically designed poplar and willow…
Read More - jewelryEgyptian
…the 18th dynasty is a headdress that covered nearly all of the hair, made of a network of rosette-shaped gold disks forming a real fabric (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City). Foreign influence increased to an ever greater extent during the last dynasties and with the arrival of the…
Read More…the 18th dynasty is a headdress that covered nearly all of the hair, made of a network of rosette-shaped gold disks forming a real fabric (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City). Foreign influence increased to an ever greater extent during the last dynasties and with the arrival of the…
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- jewelryCentral and South American: pre-Columbian
…of the body was the head. Although gold and other precious metals were components of these ornaments, feathers and other brightly coloured materials were the most important features—the more elaborate the trimmings, the higher the social rank and class of the wearer. Examples of such headdresses can be seen in…
Read More…of the body was the head. Although gold and other precious metals were components of these ornaments, feathers and other brightly coloured materials were the most important features—the more elaborate the trimmings, the higher the social rank and class of the wearer. Examples of such headdresses can be seen in…
Read More - jewelryNorth American
… wore a characteristic type of headdress, which was made of wood, in a conical shape with wide brim, surmounted by sculptured human and animal figures. Another type was shaped like a crown or diadem with a rectangular plaque worked in relief placed in the middle of a leather forehead band…
Read More… wore a characteristic type of headdress, which was made of wood, in a conical shape with wide brim, surmounted by sculptured human and animal figures. Another type was shaped like a crown or diadem with a rectangular plaque worked in relief placed in the middle of a leather forehead band…
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