What is Sperada?
[[File:Lucia Mondella of the The Betrothed novel (Promessi Sposi) with traditional Sperada superimposed on Leonardo's Mona Lisa with analysis by Prof-Riccardo Magnani.jpg|thumb|Lucia Mondella of the The Betrothed novel (Promessi Sposi) with traditional Sperada superimposed on Leonardo's Mona Lisa with analysis by Prof.Riccardo Magnani]] [[File:I promessi sposi - Lucia.jpg |thumb|upright=1.6|Lucia Mondella in “Promessi Sposi” by [[Alessandro Manzoni]] with Sperada (1825)]] The '''Sperada''' (or '''Guazze''', ''guazz'' in [[Lombard language|Lombard]] from ''coazza'', braided hair) is the name used on [[Lake Como]] to indicate the female hairstyle popularly used between the [[17th century|17th]] and [[19th century]]. Sometimes it is also called '''raggiera''' due to its shape.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://georgianagarden.blogspot.be/2011/09/la-corona-lombarda.html |title=La corona lombarda |website=georgianagarden.blogspot.be |language=Italian |access-date=January 20, 2017}}</ref> It consists of a series of [[Hairpin (device)|hairpins]] arranged radially to hold the braids, turning a way of styling the [[hair]] into a showy clothing accessory. The “Sperada” was the hairstyle worn by women between [[Mandello]] and [[Lierna]] who, upon engagement, declared the end of their adolescence by declaring themselves Promised Brides. The combination of hair and hairpins also locally took the names of ''giron'', ''speronada'' or ''sperada'' if characterized by thin elements, or ''coo d'argent'' with wide elements. [[File:Segantini Bagpipers of Brianza.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|Woman with Sperada painting by [[Segantini]] (1883)]] == Presence in Literature == The Guazze hairstyle is mentioned in ''[[The Betrothed]]'' (''[[I Promessi Sposi]]'') by [[Alessandro Manzoni]], where it is described as a common hairstyle among women in [[Lombardy]] during the 17th and 18th centuries. == Origin == The Guazze hairstyle originated in [[Mandello del Lario]] and [[Lierna]], two towns in the province of [[Lecco]]. == Identification in Art =