Balzo headdress
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Parmigianino_-_La_schiava_turca.jpg/220px-Parmigianino_-_La_schiava_turca.jpg)
This portrait of an unknown Italian noblewoman has mistakenly been called the Turkish Slave because her headdress was considered a turban for centuries.[1]
The Balzo was a headdress worn by noblewomen of Italy in the 1530s. It was donut-shaped but appeared turban-like from the front, though it was generally worn further back from the forehead exposing the hair, unlike a period turban.
The headdress was a throwback to a larger rounded headdress from the 15th century in Italy that covered the hair of the wearer.[2] Then the hairline was often plucked. Though mostly known as a woman's headdress, there is evidence that men also wore a form of the balzo.
Profile Portrait of a Lady, c.1410 portrait of a woman wearing an "early balzo" with a plucked forehead
Two women and a man wearing a balzo, showing the differences in style
References[]
- ^ 20,000 Years of Fashion, page 219-220
- ^ Balzo Archived 2016-09-07 at the Wayback Machine on clothing website
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Categories:
- History of clothing (Western fashion)
- Headgear
- Hats