Headdresses Gallery

Dr Schliemann's Trojan antiquities on view, London 1877

The antiquities found at Hissarlik (Hisarlik, modern Turkey), on the plains of Troy, by Heinrich Schliemann during his remarkable excavations, on view at the South Kensington Museum (now the Victoria and Albert Museum) in 1877. 1, 2 and 3: gold headdresses; 4, 5, 6: gold earrings; 7: silver vase; 8: cup, mixture of gold and silver; 9: gold bottle; 10: gold cup; 11: silver vase; 12: silver cup; 13: gold drinking-vessel; 14: copper key of box containing the treasure; 15: silver pieces; 16: gold ornaments; 17: gold object. Date: 1877

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Advert for Marshall & Snelgrove headdresses 1922

Selection of exquisite colourful headdresses, a charming gift for Christmas. Designed by Mayfair Flower Workers, for charming Christmas presents, left; side or back effect in black or silver, middle; plaited velvet or tissue band, ornamented with heron, right; beautiful tissue and velvet swathes, shaded ostrich feather. Date: 1922

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Suk el Turk - Tripoli, Libya

Myanmar - Women of the Akha Tribe in traditional headdresses. Speakers of Tai languages in Myanmar and Thailand refer to them as "gaw" or "ekaw" (ikaw/ikho), terms which the Akha view as derogatory (this card describes them as Kaw'). Akha women define their age or marital status with the style of headdress worn. Headdresses are decorated by their owner and each is unique withsilver coins, monkey fur, and dyed chicken feathers being just a few of the things that might decorate the headdress, each of which differ by subgroup. Date: circa 1920s

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection