Old school women/gypsy heads

What is the significance/symbolism involved in those old school, I guess gypsies or just women's faces that are usually in profile, wearing headpieces and have the blush colored cheeks ect..I've seen alot of them lately and was actually thinking of having a profile of my wife transposed into that style. My wife has very "classic" features that I think would translate well to that type of tattoo. I was just wondering though what they were originally all about and what they signified, Thanks

The "gypsy" you speak of was just that...the face of a gypsy woman no particular significance that I know of except maybe that gypsies were the "wild women"of the time....something a bit exotic. I have done many of these faces and I think one with the face of your wife would be a damn fine tattoo idea!! Good tattooing and let us know how it comes out!!...TAz