Man's Hat
HatterMade by
Sombrereria Español
(Mexican)
Dateabout 1846-1848
MediumHand-stitched, felted unidentified fur or wool, with tarred fabric, silk grosgrain ribbon, paper, leather, cotton cording, and non-ferrous metal
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth x diameter of brim): 5 3/4 x 13 1/2 x 15 x 3 1/2in. (14.6 x 34.3 x 38.1 x 8.9cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
Object number1988.187.0
DescriptionMan's top hat from Mexico, with a flat, 3 3/8-inch-wide brim and straight, 5 3/8-inch-high crown. The hat is buff-colored felted fur, with a tarred fabric cover. The cover wraps over the edge of the brim and is tightened by a drawstring within a casing of silk tape. The edge of the felt brim is bound with a buff-colored grosgrain ribbon, as can be seen through a hole in the tarred fabric cover. The hatband is made of four rounds of cording, held in place by narrow bias tapes; the cord is tipped with black metal in a narrow cone shape, headed by a short tuft of twisted dark threads. Only one metal tip remains. There are two oval-shaped indentations, each with two holes, placed one on each side of the crown, suggesting that there was once an ornament attached in each spot. The inside has a leather sweatband, 2 3/4 inches wide. The lining is a medium-weight, off-white fabric brocaded with zigzags and floral motifs; there is a paper interlining.
NotesSubject Note: The Mexican War, between the United States and Mexico, was fought between 1846-1848.Research Note: Extremely rare Mexican War Guerilla hat, Mexican. (Troiani 3/23/2000)
Status
Not on view
