Ear Irons

This is Study of a Woman in a White Cap, painted by Rembrandt in about 1640.

Tamara and I saw the painting at the Rijksmuseum when we were in Amsterdam last month.

And what is that clip on the side of the woman’s face?

What is it made of? Why is it there?

Is it some kind of torture instrument? Does she perhaps have a disease or condition that means she has to have her face strapped in this contraption?

Oorijzer

No, it is an oorijzer, (‘ear-iron’ in English) and it was part of the Dutch folk costume used to keep a cap in place, and popular in places with high winds, which accounts for why it originated in North Holland – the land of windmills.

It was worn over a bottom skullcap and then a more fancy top cap or bonnet was put on top of it, and the whole thing was kept in place with pins.

Originally it was a plain iron bracket. Over time, the ear-iron grew into a fashion statement and were made of silver or gold. Some were decorated, like in this one Rembrandt painted, with spirals and little stones.