Balzo headdress

This portrait of an unknown Italian noblewoman has mistakenly been called the Turkish Slave because her headdress was considered a turban for centuries.^[1]

The Balzo was a headdress worn by noblewomen of Italy in the 1530s. It was donut-shaped but appeared turban-like from the front, though it was generally worn further back from the forehead exposing the hair, unlike a period turban.

The headdress was a throwback to a larger rounded headdress from the 15th century in Italy that covered the hair of the wearer.^[2] Then the hairline was often plucked. Though mostly known as a woman's headdress, there is evidence that men also wore a form of the balzo.

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  Profile Portrait of a Lady, c.1410 portrait of a woman wearing an "early balzo" with a plucked forehead

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  Two women and a man wearing a balzo, showing the differences in style

References

1. 20,000 Years of Fashion, page 219-220
2. Balzo on clothing website