Pruikhouder

Pruikhouder is a Dutch term that historically refers to a person connected with wigs (pruik). The word combines pruik (wig) with houder (holder/keeper or seller), and its meaning varies by period and context. In some sources it denotes a person who wore wigs, especially among the nobility and professionals in the 17th and 18th centuries, when wigs were an everyday part of formal dress. In other contexts it refers to a trader or supplier of wigs, i.e., someone who sells, rents, or maintains wigs, often operating in a network with pruikmakers (wig makers) and barbers.

Wigs were used to signal status, cover hair loss, or express fashion. They were costly and required maintenance, including powdering, perfuming, and periodic replacement. A pruikhouder who wore wigs would typically own several wigs of different styles to suit various occasions. A vendor or shopkeeper offered a range of wigs and related services, such as cleaning, repairs, and advice on maintenance.

The term is largely historical and not common in contemporary Dutch, though it may appear in historical inventories, court records, and older literature. Modern discussions use more precise terms, such as pruikmaker for the craftsman and pruikhandelaar for the seller.

See also: pruik, pruikenmaker, pruikhandelaar, Dutch fashion history.