Grace Barton as Hindoo of South Deccan, Asia, from the set Actors and Actresses, Second Series (N71) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888 - 1890

This chromolithograph from around 1888 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. presents Grace Barton in costume, labeled as a "Hindoo of South Deccan, Asia." The turban immediately strikes us, a headdress laden with cultural significance. In many Eastern traditions, turbans signify respect, religious identity, or nobility, a visual marker of one's place in the world. We see echoes of this motif across cultures and eras. Think of the elaborate head coverings in Renaissance portraits, or the turbans donned by figures in Orientalist paintings. The turban's presence isn't merely decorative; it speaks to a deeper human impulse to adorn and distinguish ourselves. Perhaps the artist, and indeed the viewer, unconsciously imbues the sitter with an exoticism tied to the image of the turban. The notion of the ‘Orient’ becomes a canvas onto which desires and fears are projected. This image underscores how symbols carry emotional weight. They serve not only as cultural markers but also as powerful triggers for our collective, often subconscious, associations. Ultimately, the turban, like any potent symbol, reflects a non-linear journey through time, constantly transformed by the shifting sands of history and perception.