Diadem
ca. 1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Balkan women used jewellery lavishly with their traditional costume. Much of it was influenced by Ottoman traditions, but the use of diadems dates back to Byzantine times. They were mainly worn at weddings, and the design varies considerably by area. This diadem is typical of those used in the Preslav region of Bulgaria.
It was worn across the front of the forehead, secured at the back of the head with ribbons fastened through the loops at each end. The decoration may represent stylised trees, a symbol of life.
It was bought for 15 shillings at the International Exhibition, London, 1872.
It was worn across the front of the forehead, secured at the back of the head with ribbons fastened through the loops at each end. The decoration may represent stylised trees, a symbol of life.
It was bought for 15 shillings at the International Exhibition, London, 1872.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silver-gilt set with blue pastes |
| Brief description | Silver-gilt diadem (prochelnik) set with blue pastes, Preslav (Bulgaria), c.1850. |
| Physical description | Forehead ornament consisting of thirteen hinged plaques with decorative cast pierced tops of alternating pattern, all set with blue pastes. Matching terminal at each end, with ring for attachment. |
| Dimensions |
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| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Balkan women used jewellery lavishly with their traditional costume. Much of it was influenced by Ottoman traditions, but the use of diadems dates back to Byzantine times. They were mainly worn at weddings, and the design varies considerably by area. This diadem is typical of those used in the Preslav region of Bulgaria. It was worn across the front of the forehead, secured at the back of the head with ribbons fastened through the loops at each end. The decoration may represent stylised trees, a symbol of life. It was bought for 15 shillings at the International Exhibition, London, 1872. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 1285-1873 |
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| Record created | March 7, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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