Garments of an Empress - the praipendoula

The face of the Emperor or Empress was framed by an ornament called πραιπενδούλα / praipendoula or κατασείστα / kataseista. These were a string of large pearls ending in a cluster. Over many centuries the most common termination was a cluster of three tear-drop shaped pearls or gems.

A full explanation of the regalia of the Empress and its pictorial and literary sources may be found in the author’s book, By the Emperor’s Hand: Court Regalia and Military Dress in the Eastern Roman Empire, Frontline Books, Barnsley 2015.

Manufactured by Timothy Dawson

Click on various parts of the outfit for more detailed pictures and explanations.