Head Covering (Sterntichl) 

Poland, 18th century
Baroque and seed pearls, rose diamonds, and gold wire on velvet, l. 10 x w. 4 x d. 2 in.
B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum Collection, gift of Joseph B. and Olyn Horwitz, 2015.17.143

Pious Jewish women cut their hair and cover their heads after they marry as a sign of modesty. In spite of this custom, Jewish women have worn elaborate head coverings frequently made of valuable materials and considered symbols of nobility and wealth. This sterntichl, which literally means forehead adornment, is made of two elements sewn and mounted to a cloth backing; ribbon ties at each end fasten around the head; metal fasteners are at four points at the base of the pearls. 

Publications:
In the Spirit of Tradition: The B’nai B’rith Klutznick Museum, ed. Linda Altshuler, 1988, p. 76, no. 69, ill. p. 36.