A 19th century watercolor portrait last week of a Dutch woman in traditional Friesland style "Oorijzer," (or "ear iron"), and then this early 20th century photo portrait of a Zeeland woman in one of a slightly different sort has me wanting to carve out some time to do a deep dive into these very particular traditional head ornaments! When I found this RPPC I did not yet know about Oorijzers, and what struck me was how those metal plates to either side of this woman's forehead looked like devices with some sort of scientific purpose--as if to harness energy, or attract signals from beyond! And I find something really wonderful about the combination of those very sci-fi seeming, mirror-like plates and her very architectural, finely handmade lace collar--feels as if past and future at once, and rather beyond time and place entirely. And her face and presence is just right for transcending!
5 3/8" x 3 1/2", very good condition, c. 1910s.
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