
CLOTHES
&
ACCESSORIES
DRESS
ACCESSORIES
HEADWEAR
COIFS
CROWNS AND CIRCLETS
HATS AND HENNINS
HEADDRESSES
VEILS
AND WIMPLES
HOODS
|
Crowns,
Coronets & Circlets
Crowns
during the early medieval period were simple and set with only
a few choice jewels. Crowns and coronets weren't particularly
restricted to royalty at this time, with noble ladies wearing
coronets or mini-crowns as part of their formal dress. They were
sometimes set with jewels but were not as ornate as those used
for coronations or of the royal household.
The
crown shown at right, is a detail from the sculpture Madonna,
dated at 1420 and shows the type of crown worn by royalty and
often depicted worn by the Virgin Mary in artwork of the medieval
period.
In the detail at left, is a coronet of a simple design and appears
to be set at regular intervals with only a few gemstones. It is
dated at 1370-1372 and comes from de Liege Jeanne d'Evreux
and Charles IV. This is more the kind of crown or coronet
that a noble woman might wear. It was forged in one piece.
The detail of a bust at right shows a circlet, also a one-piece,
being worn with a braided hairstyle. It has holes drilled where
gemstones probably once were. It is of Marie de France and dated
at 1327 to 1341.
The circlet or coronet returned to
fashion among ladies of the nobility and upper classes about 1360.
Those most favoured were of a slightly different style to the
solid band previously worn. The new coronets were designed like
miniature versions of the hinged hip belt, composed of many smaller
plaques arranged together to fit the head.
Precious and semiprecious stones and enamel were widely used.
Goldsmiths in France, Northern Spain and Northern Italy were considered
the best jewellers, though Limoges was particularly renown for
the quality of the workmanship produced.
|