Hair Band
1870-1900 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In the mid-19th century the goldsmiths of Piedmont developed an elaborate style of filigree hair ornament, based on a thin net of woven silver wire. These delicate headdresses were worn in villages throughout the foothills of the Italian Alps until the early 20th century. Like all Italian headdresses, they were first worn at marriage, and after that on feast days and special occasions.
The reticella was the most sumptuous piece. It was worn across the brow like a diadem, with the net hanging down over the hair at the back of the head. Brightly coloured ribbons, tied through the loops at each end, held it in place, and long filigree pendants hung down on either side of the face. It was accompanied by matching hair pins with filigree heads.
This reticella was given to the V&A by Estella Canziani and her father Enrico. She was a professional painter who was also passionately interested in the traditions of northwest Italy. She wrote several books on the songs and culture of the region.
The reticella was the most sumptuous piece. It was worn across the brow like a diadem, with the net hanging down over the hair at the back of the head. Brightly coloured ribbons, tied through the loops at each end, held it in place, and long filigree pendants hung down on either side of the face. It was accompanied by matching hair pins with filigree heads.
This reticella was given to the V&A by Estella Canziani and her father Enrico. She was a professional painter who was also passionately interested in the traditions of northwest Italy. She wrote several books on the songs and culture of the region.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver and silver-gilt filigree |
| Brief description | Silver, partly gilded, filigree hair band with pendant net (reticella), Piedmont (Italy), 19th century. |
| Physical description | Wire hair band decorated with fine netted filigree bows, with stamped silver attachments. Chains of stamped rosettes hang from the bows, linked to each other by curved oval discs, formerly decorated with turquoise and wire flowers, of which only one remains, and ending in pendant hollow acorns. Loop for attachment at each end. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by Estella and Enrico Canziani |
| Summary | In the mid-19th century the goldsmiths of Piedmont developed an elaborate style of filigree hair ornament, based on a thin net of woven silver wire. These delicate headdresses were worn in villages throughout the foothills of the Italian Alps until the early 20th century. Like all Italian headdresses, they were first worn at marriage, and after that on feast days and special occasions. The reticella was the most sumptuous piece. It was worn across the brow like a diadem, with the net hanging down over the hair at the back of the head. Brightly coloured ribbons, tied through the loops at each end, held it in place, and long filigree pendants hung down on either side of the face. It was accompanied by matching hair pins with filigree heads. This reticella was given to the V&A by Estella Canziani and her father Enrico. She was a professional painter who was also passionately interested in the traditions of northwest Italy. She wrote several books on the songs and culture of the region. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.529-1924 |
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| Record created | February 8, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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