These indiane, block-printed cloths originating from India and later also produced in Europe, enjoyed great popularity during the 18th century in Liguria, where they were used as a kind of large head scarf: the mezzaro. Initially worn by women of the aristocracy, over time the mezzaro gradually became associated with popular clothing, going on to become, from the early 20th century, a distinctive item of décor. The production of this colourful artefact is owed in large part to the factories which, from the late 18th century, were set up in an area to the west of Genoa by businessmen such as Speich and Testori. The Textile Collections have a number of examples of these mezzari featuring various different designs, such as those traditionally known as Albero Vecchio, Castagno, and Vacchette.