Curio

State Library of New South Wales

Miss Burgess

1874
Glass photonegative

A belle of Hill End, Miss Burgess was photographed from the side to display her fashionable Swiss cotton ‘organdie’ pompadour polonaise to best advantage. Her hair is piled high in a chignon (a mass of hair arranged on a pad at the back of the head and held in place with a net).

From The South Australian Advertiser, 12 July 1870

Although the chignon is rapidly going out of fashion, the coiffure is more complicated than ever; the hair is generally worn in waved bandeaux in front, while curls of various lengths fall from the top of the head; but the newest style is the catogan, formed of loose plaits, and tied with a large bow of black or coloured ribbon. We hail the downfall of the chignon with gratification, but do not consider the catogan a great improvement upon it. [The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889) Tuesday 12 July 1870 p 3]