The ferronnière was a delicate jewelry item worn by women on the forehead which served to help hold hairstyles in place. It consisted of a chain with fine links – or a textile thread – usually with a single gemstone in the center. The name is derived from a painting, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, named La belle ferronnière (from French: “the beautiful blacksmith’s wife”) currently in the Musée du Louvre, Paris.

This Renaissance fashion was revived shortly during the 19th century c.1830-1845. Costume balls were a popular entertainment from the 1820s and portraits were popular sources of inspiration both for clothing and accessories. Adapted from these portraits, the ferronnière started out as a costume accessory but quickly became a fashion necessity. Hairstyles featured face-hugging center-parted looks that were perfect for a ferronnière. Most of these featured an articulated jeweled drop but occasional designs featured an upright central motif.