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HAIR-DRESSING OF ROMAN LADIES AS ILLUSTRATED ON COINS. |
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54 NUMISMATIC CHRONICLE A pretty head appears with a diadem, and similar plaits (Illust. XL.), or with a beaded fillet (Illust. XLI.) In the first of these two last examples (i.e. Illust. XL.) the hair is formally waved with an upward turn from the face; in the second (Illust. XLI.) regular grooves on the scalp may indicate plaits, as in the case of Domitia (Illust. XXIII). It is interesting to compare the charming simplicity of the head (Illust. XLII.) with the elaboration of Illust. XLIII., where the front hair is waved and the back gathered to a prominent plaited coronet. The whole effect of this head is that of the style selected as typically “Empire” by the ladies of the Court of the first Napoleon. Lucilla (died 183 A.D.), wife of Lucius Verus and daughter of Faustina II, as a rule seems to follow the simpler mode of her mother, though the waving is deeper and more formal. Illust. XLIV. Sometimes, instead of being waved, the hair is arranged in vertical rolls on the head. Illust. XLV. I venture to think that pads were introduced into these rolls to give them a full appearance. In each case the hair terminates in a knot of twists or plaits at the neck. Crispina, wife of Commodus (died 183 A.D.), by the coins bearing her head, gives the impression of a woman with naturally heavy straight hair. Sometimes this is loosely gathered into a large knot behind (Illust. XLVI.), or is more elaborately dressed, somewhat in the style of Lucilla, with the addition of a heavy roll outlining the face. Illust. XLVII. From the style of Crispina (Illust. XLVI,) there seems to be developed a series of coiffures with a large flat loose knot behind, like a great cake. In fact, French
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