Double-Horned Velvet Hennin For Noble Ladies

Late Gothic Double-Horned Velvet Hennin For Noble Ladies

The Extravagance Of The Wealthy Burgundian Court

This type of ostentatious headwear has its historical origins in the luxury fashion of the 15th century. During the Late Gothic period, the extremely wealthy Burgundian court set the trends in Western and Central Europe. The hennin was one of the most prominent symbols of female attire. It was worn exclusively by high-ranking noblewomen and very wealthy burghers at courtly festivities, tournaments, and balls. Generally, the taller and more elaborate the hennin a woman wore, the higher her social standing. Our model, enriched with two semi-conical horns, beautifully frames the face and evokes the pageantry of the elite of that time. An interesting historical fact is that ladies of that era often deliberately shaved the hair on their foreheads and at the nape of their necks under such caps to make their faces appear as long and majestic as possible. You simply place the headwear directly over your previously tied-back hair. The 100% cotton used, finished as genuine velvet, is sturdy, breathable, and faithfully imitates the luxurious fabrics imported from the Orient.

Technical Parameters Of The Hennin

Size Chart

The sizes correspond to head circumferences as follows:

This Gothic ladies' hennin is custom-made in other colours upon request according to these fabric swatches. The desired colour must be entered in the comment field of the order. It is always necessary to state (1) the swatch number, (2) the colour letter, and (3) the name of the colour (e.g., 03-A-Yellow). If a fabric with a different composition is chosen, the price may change. Any price change will be consulted with you before the order is processed.

Velvet Garment Care And Safety Guidelines

To ensure this magnificent hennin serves you as long as possible and always looks as good as new, the cotton velvet requires specific care. We strongly recommend that you entrust the headwear exclusively to a professional dry cleaner. Washing it in a standard washing machine could irreversibly damage the internal reinforcement and deform both cones. Never tumble dry the product and do not iron it on the right side. Also, avoid wearing it in heavy rain. For safety reasons, please remember that with high cones on your head, you need to be very careful when passing through low doorways, under trees, or in tight castle spaces to avoid catching it and injuring your cervical spine.

Recommended Period Accessories

For an absolutely perfect and historically accurate 15th-century look, we highly recommend purchasing a long, light veil made of silk or chiffon to go with the hennin, which in Gothic times often flowed from the cones deep down the back. Do not forget a luxurious underdress (cotte) and an overdress (surcote) with deep armholes worn over it. We advise you that clothing, veils, or other jewellery and accessories shown in the illustrative photographs are not included in the delivery of this product.