Original region specific antique Dutch head parure from Zeeland, Holland

Look what we found! Although we do not think this is something you would wear it can be a valuable addendum to an antique jewelry collection. A very complete headset from Zeeland which is in the west-southern part of Holland, to be more specific from the area called Walcheren. To find a complete set is special because mostly these sets are split up to different heirs at legacies. This typical wear for a Zeeland country woman (or farmer's wife) was worn in the 19th Century till our days. Today there aren't nearly any people left who wear the dress of this local distinctive style. While the youngsters do not wear it at all any more the older people do wear it occasionally. And in 2003 the last two men wearing the traditional clothing died and most probably in another 10 till 15 years no woman will be wearing it any more either.

What is she wearing you would ask. Well, she is actually wearing more then you can see. First of all, over her back-combed (long) hair with the front of her hair in what is called in the local dialect “toer” (pronounce “tour”) she is wearing a starched so called “ondermuts” (Dutch for the little lace coif that is worn under the cap you see). Over this coif the actual head set was placed. This headset is called “ijzer” (Dutch for “iron”). The reason why it's called “iron” doesn't do it much justice as it is made of a U-shaped silver brace that goes over the back of the head to both temples. At both ends of this brace the gold curls are attached. Most of the times, the weight of the gold curls is engraved in the back of the silver brace as is the case here. It gives us the weight of 32 grams.

Then over this brace the final cap, called “langette”, (also stiffly starched) was placed and hold into its position with three gold needles at both sides of the head. These three needles are in three different sizes and made in gold filigree. Then last but not least, to finalize the outfit at both curls the actual jewel, a pendant, was attached, a sort of triangle plate with low pyramid shapes on it and a baroque pearl hanging underneath.

And then when it started to rain the women hated it because when their stiffly starched caps became wet and soft all their work was for nothing.

The set we offer here contains the silver brace with gold curls, six needles and the two pendants hanging from the curls. It does NOT contain the head that we only use for demonstration nor the garnet necklace that we also used to show how people would dress up in the old days. However both lace caps are included.

Antique jewelry object group: ladies accessories

Country of origin: Netherlands

Style: late-Victorian
(more info on styles)

Period: ca. 1900-1910
(events and facts in 1900 - (1910)

Material: 14k yellow gold and silver.
(more info on precious metals)

Technique: The pins used aside the head to hold the headpiece with the curls in place feature filigree decoration, which is in fact thin gold wire twisted into refined motifs, in this case elegant little balls. You can also notice the use of granulation on this piece. Granulation is a technique where the goldsmith uses very small balls (granules) of metal, which are not soldered to the piece but welded. Both techniques demand very high skills and precision from the maker.

Extra information: klederdracht - (Dutch for 'dress of a distinctive style or period') - Till the beginning of the 20th century, in some Dutch villages, people were recognisable by their clothes and jewelry. In the Netherlands many villages had their own costume. Only by looking at a piece of jewelry or clothing, experts can tell from which region people were, which faith they had and even their marital status.

Two baroque pearls (one at each pendant).
(more info on precious stones)

Birthstones: Pearl is the birthstone (or month stone) for June.
(more info on birthstones)

Maker/goldsmith: D.Schotman, who worked between 1890 and 1919

Hallmarks: The Dutch control mark representing an oak leaf and that was in use between 1906 and 1953.
(more info on hallmarks) and the maker's hallmark

Condition: extremely good condition
(more info on our condition scale)

Reference Nº: 09307-4372

See also our:
jewelry with filigree & granules, other regional jewelry, latest acquisitions,
antique jewelry, estate jewelry, vintage jewelry or modern jewelry

Jewelry with birthstones (or month stones) for:
January - February - March - April - May - June - July
August - September - October - November or December.


Additional information:
jewelry glossary - wall of fame - visit us in Antwerp - subscribe to our mailinglist.


What is antique jewelry? - What is estate jewelry? - What is vintage jewelry?