I’m Stumped!

[VRBeauty]

I can’t fit the life of me figure out what’s going on on this woman’s head!



The image is from the inside of the top of a box of silverplate flatware - the whole inside cover is shown below. The pattern was introduced in 1926, although this particular line of silverware was called “1881 Rogers. I assume this particular set originally came in this box since I have no reason to assume otherwise.



Anyhow, I’m totally stumped as to what that image -specifically the woman’s hair or headdress - is supposed to represent. Any ideas?

 

[Gussie]

It looks like a dog! Probaby not but those Victorians were pretty out there!

 

[kenny]

 

[Austina]

Looks like she’s been got at by the Borg (Star Trek) and is on her way to being part of the collective

 

[junebug17]

I took a quick look online and couldn't find anything that resembles this...headdress, I guess? The name Joan is at the bottom, maybe it's supposed to be Joan of Arc? Although I don't know why she'd be inside a silverware box - And I have no idea what those things on her head are!

 

[House Cat]

Peacock feathers

 

[Rfisher]

It’s obviously depicting what’s going on in a hysterical Victorian female’s head.

I can think of a few CS vendors that she should go visit for some retail therapy

 

[SparklieBug]

@stracci2000 might know, 'cause she's expert at all manner of collectible things!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@stracci2000 might know, 'cause she's expert at all manner of collectible things!

Great minds….I was just going to tag her!

 

[Slickk]

It’s obviously depicting what’s going on in a hysterical Victorian female’s head.

I can think of a few CS vendors that she should go visit for some retail therapy

Sadly, I think this is it @Rfisher Good interpretation imo!

 

[VRBeauty]

By the way, Kenny - 1881 Rogers was produced by the Oneida Community that you’ve posted about before. Apparently 1881 was significant as the year that the community incorporated its silver-making business and issued shares to its members.

 

[VRBeauty]

I took a quick look online and couldn't find anything that resembles this...headdress, I guess? The name Joan is at the bottom, maybe it's supposed to be Joan of Arc? Although I don't know why she'd be inside a silverware box - And I have no idea what those things on her head are!

I suspect you’re right in guessing Joan of Arc. The metal neck protection suggests that the green cape might in fact be covering a suit of armor.

 

[stracci2000]

I think @Rfisher is onto something about hysterical Victorians ladies....!!!!

I also thought Joan of Arc. But Joan of Arc would be wearing more obvious armor and would be holding a sword......and I haven't seen any images of her wearing a cloak over her armor.

Looking more closely at the second photo that is a bit clearer, I don't think she has a metal neckpiece. It looks to me that shes wearing a translucent headscarf that is wrapped around her neck. And the circular brush like designs (powder puffs?) are on the scarf.
I think the reason we can't tell what's going on with her head is just the quality of the printing on the box. If we saw the original artwork, it would probably be more apparent that she's wearing a delicate scarf over her hair.
This is just my observation, and I could be completely wrong.
If we could decipher the signature, we could research the artist and know more.

I tried Google Images, but got nuthin' on the portrait or the signature.

The design on the scarf reminds me of the old Coty powder box.

 

[stracci2000]

Great minds….I was just going to tag her!

Ha! If only I had all the answers!

 

[mrs-b]

It looks like a dog! Probaby not but those Victorians were pretty out there!

Exactly. And once you've seen it, you can't un-see it. That damn canine is climbing right out of her brain!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Exactly. And once you've seen it, you can't un-see it. That damn canine is climbing right out of her brain!

Exactly - lol!!

 

[Calliecake]

What the heck???

 

[Matata]

It is proof that alien's have visited earth.

 

[kenny]

If that was a pic taken today, I wouldn't be surprised if they were just her tattoos.

If that community was very avant-garde back in the roaring 20s perhaps they were into extreme tattoos.

 

[Matata]

The collar and weird head gear made me think of your mystery lady @VRBeauty. Perhaps they had the same clothing designer

April 5, 1626: Anna Koltovskaya, Tsaritsa of Russia, died at the Convent of Vedenski-Tikhvinski. She was the fourth wife of Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible and the daughter of a courtesan. Although fourth marriages were prohibited in Russian Orthodoxy, Ivan was determined. Unfortunately, though maybe not for her, he got tired of her after two years, repudiated her, and packed her off to the convent where she became a nun, taking the name Daria. She was one of two wives to outlive Ivan.