Hair Ornament
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 burletto or stella was worn on the back of the head, to cover the coiled braids of the wearer's hair. It was held in place by matching hair pins with filigree heads, and accompanied by a filigree hair band across the brow.
This burletto 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 burletto or stella was worn on the back of the head, to cover the coiled braids of the wearer's hair. It was held in place by matching hair pins with filigree heads, and accompanied by a filigree hair band across the brow.
This burletto 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 and silver-gilt chignon ornament (burletto), Piedmont (Italy), 19th century. |
| Physical description | Filigree frame, consisting of an oval base made from motifs of fine netting, attached to a wire framework. The motifs are decorated with applied leaves, gilded rosettes, and stars with pendant filigree triangles. 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 burletto or stella was worn on the back of the head, to cover the coiled braids of the wearer's hair. It was held in place by matching hair pins with filigree heads, and accompanied by a filigree hair band across the brow. This burletto 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.526-1924 |
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| Record created | February 8, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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