Ancient ornitrices (hairdressers)

[guy]

A young female buried in Colchester with a hair pin to keep her hairstyle in place at the time of burial.

 

We have gained greater appreciation in recent years for styles and culture of the Ancient Roman through archaeological studies.

The ornitrices, many times enslaved, were essential for creating and maintaining the elaborate hairstyles in Ancient Rome.

Here's an interesting article on the "Ornatrices of Londinium" excerpted from the book "Mudlark'd: The Hidden Histories from the River Thames" by Malcolm Russell. It delves into the discoveries of items recovered from the banks of the Thames and the people who owned them.

 

Carved bone hairpin, head in the form of a female bust with elaborate hairstyle in the British Museum

 

The Ornatrices of Londinium | Lapham’s Quarterly (laphamsquarterly.org)

 

Here is an excellent lecture by the professional hairstylist Janet Stephens on evolving female hairstyles in Ancient Rome:

 

 

 

 

Edited May 29, 2022 by guy