hsifeng | Gypsies (Reply)

Back in the ancient mists of time, I played a Gypsie at the Renaissance Faire (TM). While I know that the folks who I played with did some research into proper garb, and a lot more into Gypsie culture (I read history books about it even - and that was something back then!), I don't think we had the first clue what we were doing...

Awhile back, a user on Tribes called "velvet brick" posted a 17th C image of a gypsie in responce to a debate on the use of brocades/tapestries/design woven fabric* in the 'lower classes'. This is the image she posted:

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She pointed out the stripes of brocade on the over robe and had stated that she had seen other images of Gypsies like these.

Today, while doing a search for Steuchlein images on the Web Gallery of Art, I stumbled across this image:

Same stripey robes, interesting hat/hair piece and yep...those are Gypsies. The title of the piece is "Gypsies in the Market" and it was done in Germany in 1510 by Hans Burgkmair. So I did a little digging and found these over about a 100 year range...

Title: "Gathering of Gypsies in the Wood" by Jan Breugel the Elder