3-003-784 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Head-dresses of Friesland women, 1861. 'Visitors to the Netherlands, especially at Ypres or Bruges, cannot fail being astonished at the very remarkable coiffures of the Friesland women, worn more particularly on festive occasions, and glittering in the sun like jewelled helmets, which they strongly resemble. Plates of gold or silver entirely covering the sides of the head are connected by a narrower piece at the back; over this is the cap, while on the forehead and suspended from the ears are rich jewels set with precious stones - frequently diamonds - the hair being worn entirely back from the face. It is not at all uncommon to find females who have little other wealth wearing headdresses worth from 1000 to 1200 florins, but they are heirlooms; each possessor adds what she can to its value, and no Friesland girl, gentle or simple, would consider herself presentable without one'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.