Laurel Headress - for Baroness Eleanor of Gray
At this time I can only show the photographs and write some of the construction details - otherwise - this is a Shhh! Project and I cannot list whom this is for until it has been given. So - I'll list the construction photographs and then will expand upon its construction techniques and information once given.
One aspect that can be shared at this time is the history of the Laurel Leaf headress:
A laurel wreath is a round wreath made of connected branches and leaves of the bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), an aromatic broadleaf evergreen, or later from spineless butcher's broom (Ruscus hypoglossum) or cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). It is a symbol of triumph and is worn as a chaplet around the head, or as a garland around the neck.
Wreaths and crowns in antiquity, including the laurel wreath, trace back to Ancient Greece. In Greek mythology, the god Apollo, who is patron of lyrical poetry, musical performance[a] and skill-based athletics, is conventionally depicted wearing a laurel wreath on his head in all three roles. Wreaths were awarded to victors in athletic competitions, including the ancient Olympics; for victors in athletics they were made of wild olive tree known as "kotinos" (κότινος),[1] (sc. at Olympia) – and the same for winners of musical and poetic competitions. In Rome they were symbols of martial victory, crowning a successful commander during his triumph. Whereas ancient laurel wreaths are most often depicted as a horseshoe shape, modern versions are usually complete rings.
In common modern idiomatic usage, a laurel wreath or "crown" refers to a victory. The expression "resting on one's laurels" refers to someone relying entirely on long-past successes for continued fame or recognition, where to "look to one's laurels" means to be careful of losing rank to competition.[2]
Specifically, Apollo was the patron of musical performance on the kithara, a professional, heavy-body member of the lyre family; the lyre itself was a folk-instrument. When so-engaged himself, he was called Apollo Citharoedus, roughly "Apollo the musician". Wind instruments were normally in the pervue of other deities, such as Pan.
Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert (1843). κότἲνος. A Greek-English Lexicon (1 ed.). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-864226-8. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
Construction Materials:
Size 11 and Size 15 Seed Beads in various shades of green (Example of colors in photo 1 and photo 2
The size 15 Gold beads were there for visual stimulations (beading burnout)
1 12mm crystal rivoli (history of crystal beads in assorted productions - please see the page on historical dating of crystals from Bohemia)
Size 4 Glass pearls to enfold crystal rivoli and Size 4 glass pearls in green for ascetics
Felted and starched wool for beading foundation
Nymo thread Size O (quality Nylon for strength)
Silk thread for couching in black.
Felted Wool (england) in green - custom order
Leather suede for inside construction
(1) metal headband (Anachronistic - see photo # 13)
(1) Zip tie used for boning in Elizabethan corset construction
Tapas fish glue dutifully aired out
(1) Multiple dabs of E-6000 to secure the Zip Tie to the Headband
Project X and theory - How does one develop a Laurel wreath for a member who wears a coronet?
Yes - that's my lucky Tigers Eye in the corner.
Stacking each leaf to overlay and sit flat
13. This is the only anachronistic aspect of the construction. Problem: how does one make a headress that will sit over a Coronet? I used a metal hairband attached to an extra large zip-tie and used fishglue (Tapas) there were a few area's that required a dab of E-6000
The actual positioning of the headpiece over the coronet
This is the link to the documentation that was submitted with the gift of the Laurel Wreath Head piece.
UPDATE: The recipient elected to have five pearls added for her Court Baronage as she found this creation so comfortable that she will wear this on a continual basis. I could have not asked for a better compliment.
