1-191-619 - © London Museum/Heritage-Images

A seated lady has her hair curled and dressed to a towering height, c1770. The man of the left has had to climb a ladder in order to dress the lady's hair. The astonished man on the right is using a scientific instrument in order to gauge the height of the wig. Wigs were made of human or animal hair, sometimes of mohair and silk, of feathers, and even sometimes of iron or copper wire. They were often supplemented ribbons and bows.