Italian Renaissance Hair Taping

This document was originally a pamphlet that accompanied classes I taught in the East Kingdom of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc.

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Italian Renaissance Hair Taping - Examples

By Lady Faoiltighearna inghean mhic Ghuaire
Copyright © 1999 Margo Farnsworth

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Both of these are details from paintings by Piero della Francesca.
Left: “Madonna and Child with Saints”, 1472-74.
Right: “Annunciation”, 1460-62.
The “X”s to hold down the ends are very clear in these examples.

Domenico Ghirlandaio, “Stories of the Virgin: Birth of Mary”, 1490 (?). Note the unusual way the braid is held in place, the tie actually goes under the chin.

Domenico Ghirlandaio, “Madonna of Mercy”, 1472.

“Portrait of a Lady”, by a follower of Paolo Ucello, first half of the 15th century. Here the tape was brought around one more time over the top of the braid, pressing it flat.

Sasetta, “The Mystic Marriage of Saint Francis”, 1437-44. This is a wonderful illustration showing the back of the head. You can see both coils are wrapped around the head. The woman furthest away shows the taping.

Piero della Francesca, “The Legend of the True Cross”, 1452-66. The benda can clearly be seen here, the veil is finely pleated (which isn't as easily seen) and is spread out over the ears. They also have funny little “horns” of hair pointing back from the temples.

Antonio Pisanello, “Portrait of Ginerva d’Este”, 1433-1438. Back of head is possibly a baltzo.

Domenico Ghirlandaio, “The Birth of Saint John the Baptist”, 1485-90. Note the hat on the left, it is sheer and you can see the taping underneath.

| More Examples |

	Domenico Ghirlandaio, “Stories of the Virgin: Birth of Mary”, 1490 (?). Note the unusual way the braid is held in place, the tie actually goes under the chin.
	Domenico Ghirlandaio, “Madonna of Mercy”, 1472.
	“Portrait of a Lady”, by a follower of Paolo Ucello, first half of the 15th century. Here the tape was brought around one more time over the top of the braid, pressing it flat.
	Sasetta, “The Mystic Marriage of Saint Francis”, 1437-44. This is a wonderful illustration showing the back of the head. You can see both coils are wrapped around the head. The woman furthest away shows the taping.
	Piero della Francesca, “The Legend of the True Cross”, 1452-66. The benda can clearly be seen here, the veil is finely pleated (which isn't as easily seen) and is spread out over the ears. They also have funny little “horns” of hair pointing back from the temples.
	Antonio Pisanello, “Portrait of Ginerva d’Este”, 1433-1438. Back of head is possibly a baltzo.
	Domenico Ghirlandaio, “The Birth of Saint John the Baptist”, 1485-90. Note the hat on the left, it is sheer and you can see the taping underneath.