Discriminale
A hairpin (Latin: discriminale) is an antique decoration used to fasten women's clothing or hair femina. There were both simple hairpins without frills,and decorated with complex patterns and coinage depicting various subjects.
Roman gold pin or daisy-shaped hair ornament. Victoria and Albert Museum,London. Inv. No. 571-1855. 1st-4th century AD
Stilettos,1st century AD,Zadar,Croatia.
Roman bone hairpin,Flavian period,1st century AD,London
Roman hairpin,Flavian period,1st century AD,TrimontiumForm and Use
In archaeological collections these pins appear both as practical and status objects. Simple bronze or bone examples held hair and partings in place, while richer versions could have shaped finials, inlays and fine decoration. For a Roman woman, an ordered hairstyle formed part of public appearance alongside the stola, jewellery and veil.
Materials and Reconstruction
For reenactment it is important to separate a hairpin from a fibula: the former works inside the hairstyle, the latter fastens cloth. Finds show that length, thickness and point shape depended on hairstyle and hair density. A museum or club reconstruction therefore needs both the decorative motif and the working mechanics of the object.
Related topics
Women in Ancient Rome,Fibula,Hairstyles
Literature
1. L. Allason-Jones. Women in Roman Britain. 2. M. Croom. Roman Clothing and Fashion. 3. J. P. Wild. Textile Manufacture in the Northern Roman Provinces.
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