Leave it to the French to really work an accessory; I speak of course of the phyrgian bonnet, which we see here worn on the noggin of Marianne, the embodiment of the French Republic. Pictured also are the three kings in bonnets, as well as contemporary French revellers.
The bonnet was first worn during the Roman Empire by slaves who had been freed by their masters, making their descendents bonafide citizens of the Empire. This symbol of freedom no doubt made for a perfect symbol for the French Revolutionaries, who not only depicted fiery gal-types leading the charge in them, but plopped them on their own hotheads.
So next time you see an image of some sans-culottes storming the Bastille, look for the little droopy bonnet on their heads, and tell whoever'll listen that it's phrygian bonnet - they'll be impressed!
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