Via Alabaster. I was unable to find an explanation as to whether the headdress is part of some ceremony of state, or whether this is stage/costume/revelry related. A TinEye reverse image search didn't help. Biography here.
Addendum: A hat tip to reader
Interesting -- I would not have thought it was a headdress. I immediately just thought it was the back/headrest area of the throne she is sitting on.
ReplyDeleteThat's possible too. Perhaps it's a throne for royalty designed to endow them with the attributes of a sun god(dess).
DeleteMy first reaction was that it must be intended to represent a nimbus.
ReplyDeleteThere is a larger image here that shows clearly it is a headdress. The throne is definitely in the background and blurred by the distance, whereas the nimbus headdress is as sharp as her hair and veil. The veil seems to be fastened to the sun shaped crown and the whole contraption is kept in place by the under-the-chin chain strap.
ReplyDeletehttp://romaniainourhearts.wordpress.com/2013/05/24/early-twentieth-century-top-50-most-beautiful-romanian-women-final-round/queen-marie-of-romania-photo-26/
It is indeed a headdress, but not for any "official" matters of state. A Romanian friend, reliable and well-versed in Romanian history and culture, tells me that Queen Marie ('Regina Maria' in Romanian), was known for her theatrical sense, that she enjoyed costumes and being photographed in various costumes and dress. Apparently, hundreds of such photos were made and published. She appeared sometimes dressed as a peasant woman, other times as shown above. However, the 'real' and 'officials' crowns and tiaras worn by Queen Marie were much more convential and familiar, as in a photo from the following link -- which includes several photos and an excellent biography. Here it is: http://www.tkinter.smig.net/QueenMarie/YWCA/
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deborah. Regarding "she enjoyed costumes and being photographed in various costumes and dress. Apparently, hundreds of such photos were made and published" - see the link in Anonymous' comment above. 100 such photos.
DeleteSurely, she the solar system, with the planets " orbiting" around the sun, her headdress. Fancy dress balls were so popular then, and some costumes got a little conceptual.
ReplyDeleteDiana Mandache originally published the picture in her book about Queen Marie and in correspondence noted that (then) Princess Marie was dressed as the Sun for a fancy ball.
ReplyDeletehttp://dianamandache.com/victorian-fancy-dress-costumes-at-the-romanian-royal-court/
Thank you, Unknown. I've added your info to the post.
DeleteDon't know how the google login resulted in an 'Unknown' designation. I'm an infomaniac (please enunciate carefully ;-)) and couldn't resist the mystery. I noticed the picture on Diana's 2007 book cover and sent her a note letting her know that the picture was circulating in the 'blogosphere' since its initial posting here and asking about its origin. She replied promptly and added the linked page to her own site.
DeleteShe was the stronger hand in the royal couple. King Ferdinand was considered a weak and hesitating leader. Maybe the costume is an allusion to the image of the French "Sun King" Louis XIV:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.histoire-image.org/pleincadre/index.php?i=1312