Hair Pin
1850-1900 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
In the 19th century Dalmatia was a province of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It stretched from Trieste (now in Italy) to the borders of modern Albania. The traditional jewellery shows traces of the many cultures which influenced the region. On the coast, which had never been part of the Ottoman Empire, the women used large filigree hair pins, like those worn in northern Italy, when wearing traditional costume. Further inland the pins were smaller, like this one. They were used to keep a head scarf or fez in place.
The bird on top of this pin may represent a cockerel, a traditional symbol of fertility through much of Europe.
The bird on top of this pin may represent a cockerel, a traditional symbol of fertility through much of Europe.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Cast silver |
| Brief description | Silver hair pin (špiode) with a head cast like a bird, Dalmatia (Croatia), 19th century. |
| Physical description | Small pin with cast head shaped like a bird standing on a flat vertical triangle. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Given by B. H. Jackson |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | In the 19th century Dalmatia was a province of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It stretched from Trieste (now in Italy) to the borders of modern Albania. The traditional jewellery shows traces of the many cultures which influenced the region. On the coast, which had never been part of the Ottoman Empire, the women used large filigree hair pins, like those worn in northern Italy, when wearing traditional costume. Further inland the pins were smaller, like this one. They were used to keep a head scarf or fez in place. The bird on top of this pin may represent a cockerel, a traditional symbol of fertility through much of Europe. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.40-1951 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | April 15, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
