Ferroniere

by AntiqueNut on September 4, 2009

in Ferroniere, Glossary, Renaissance Period

Ferroniere. A small jewel hanging by a narrow ribbon, so arranged that the ornament comes in the middle of the forehead. So called from the picture in The Louvre of La Belle Ferroniere (The Blacksmith’s Wife).

Leonardo de Vinci's Ferroniere

Leonardo de Vinci's Ferroniere

It was first worn in Renaissance times, but was revived in the early nineteenth century, when a small locket was often worn thus on a narrow black velvet ribbon or tiny chain.

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Infibeam September 11, 2009 at 11:35 am

This kind of jewelry is also popular in India from many years. Indian villager women still wearing this kind of jewelry.

AntiqueNut September 11, 2009 at 10:52 pm

Very true. During the 1960’s the ferroniere was somewhat of a popular jewelry piece, in particular amongst hippies, and even today you may see women wearing a ferroniere as an alternative to a tiara or comb on their wedding day.

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