Woman's or Older Girl's Bonnet
Original OwnerOriginally owned by a member of the
Brainard family
(American)
MillinerMade by
Unknown
Date1850-1863
MediumHand-stitched straw with wire, loosely-woven unidentified lining fabric, and silk ribbon
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 11 1/2 x 9 x 6 3/8in. (29.2 x 22.9 x 16.2cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of the estate of Eveline W. Brainerd
Object number1950.159.18
DescriptionWoman's or older girl's bonnet of braided straw or grass with no decorations. The bonnet is constructed with no separate crown and brim pieces. The front edge widens away from the face, with ends on each side that extend beyond the line at the back of the neck. These ends are quite narrow, curving up and back to meet to bottom of the crown section at the back of the neck. These narrow parts have been shaped to turn out rather than stay parallel to the line of the wearer's chin. The underside of the brim has been lined with a loosely-woven fabric, which also extends to the sides of the crown area. A covered wire is clearly visible along the entire edge of the brim as well as around to the back. The length of the top of the bonnet from the brim edge to the back edge of the crown is eight inches. The back is a circle measuring approximately 3 7/8 inches in diameter. The bottom side of this crown section measures 1 1/4 inch. This bottom edge, from point to point, is bound with a strip of braided straw or grass. Some of the lining fabric is also folded over the inner-most curve of this edge. A cream-colored silk ribbon, 1 1/2 inch wide, is stitched to the point on the proper right side. This ribbon, 8 3/4 inches long, appears to have been torn across the end. It is difficult to know if this bonnet was ever trimmed. There are threads on the proper left side to indicate that there was a tie also stitched to the front point of the brim.
Status
Not on view
