Hair & Head Ornaments – Antique Jewelry University

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Hair & Head Ornaments

Tiaras, barrettes, combs, and ferronnières are some of the jewelry items with which one might adorn one’s tresses or temples. While crowns and tiaras are reserved for the aristocracy, and wanna-be aristocrats, there are plenty of adornments- including tiaras - available for all to enjoy a little glamour in their coiffure. Let the Hair & Head Ornaments pictorial glossary below be your guide.

Vignettes

Queen Elizabeth II Wearing the Burmese Ruby Tiara.

Tiaras of the British Empire

Adelaide was Queen-consort of the United Kingdom (1830-1837) during the reign of King William IV. In an effort to show an economical side to the monarchy, Queen Adelaide’s jewelry consisted...

Art Deco Diamond and Platinum Tiara.

Tiaras

Tiaras have been worn by royalty and commoners alike and, while they symbolize wealth and rank, they are not necessarily an emblem of monarchy like a crown. The design of...

Terms & Definitions

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Collection of Romano-British Era Bone and Silver Hairpins (Acus Crinalis). © The Trustees of the British Museum.

Acus

An acus is a Roman pin originally designed to secure a hairstyle (acus crinalis). They measure 6 to 9 inches in length and are made of gold, silver, bone, wood,...

Natural Pearl and Diamond Aigrette.

Aigrette

An aigrette is a hair ornament designed to hold or depict feathers and is usually jewel encrusted and sometimes mounted en tremblant. The name comes from the egret – the feathers of this particular bird...

Belle Epoque Diamond and Pearl Bandeau. Photo Courtesy of Christie's.

Bandeau

A bandeau is an ornamental headband or type of tiara. They were particularly popular during the Middle Ages in Italy and in Europe c.1825-1835. Bandeau in the Georgian Era were often...

Victorian Diamond Barrette.

Barrette

A barrette is a hair ornament that resembles a brooch and is clasped into the hair strictly for decoration or to secure hair in place. Instead of a pin mechanism on the...

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Benoiton

A benoiton is a hair decoration, comprised of several chains secured in the hair, dangling downwards and held in place on the bodice. This style became popular (briefly) after Victorien...

Billiment

Billiment

A billiment or habilliment (sometimes spelled bilament) was an ornamental band that formed the border on a Medieval headdress. Usually, this was jeweled and was worn on the front near...

Victorian Hair Bodkin.

Bodkin

A bodkin is a hairpin worn by Renaissance ladies to keep long hair in a knot at the rear of the head. Eventually, the bodkin evolved into the aigrette.

18K Gold Cannetille Aquamarine and Seed Pearl Hair Comb, c.1835.

Comb

An ornamental item that is worn in the hair strictly as decoration or with the purpose of holding the hair in a particular way. Used throughout history, 15th-century combs were...

Silver-Gilt Coronet, c.1700. Victoria and Albert Museum Collection.

Coronet

A coronet is a circular head ornament, in the shape of a crown but without convex arches, and is worn by members of the aristocracy or nobility on formal state...

Imperial State Crown, Part of the English Coronation Regalia. ©Getty Images.

Crown-Headdress

A crown is a circular head-dress, usually crafted in gold and augmented by gemstones, that is worn as a sign of sovereignty or royalty and is usually reserved for ruling monarchs. The ornamentation...

Gold and Micromosaic Diadem, c.1830-50. Courtesy of Victoria and Albert Museum Collection.

Diadem

A diadem is a band-style head ornament worn across the brow. Diadems were worn by both men and women in ancient times and motifs included garlands and wreaths. The term diadem is from the...

Princess Diana Wearing a Necklace in the Manner of a Ferronière.

Ferronnière

The ferronnière was a delicate jewelry item worn by women on the forehead which served to help hold hairstyles in place. It consisted of a chain with fine links – or a textile thread...

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