Coif and forehead cloth

This coif and forehead cloth are embroidered in coloured silks and embellished with silver-gilt thread. The pattern of scrolling stems bearing a variety of flowers, fruits, birds and insects is characteristic of dress and accessories in the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

Surviving coifs and foreheads in matching patterns and inventories that list them together, suggest that these items of headwear were worn at the same time. However, it is still unclear just how the forehead cloth was worn, as there are very few portraits illustrating both.