Bonnet
MillinerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1885-1888
MediumHand-stitched and machine-stitched velvet with glazed cotton, wire, heavily glazed and loosely woven fabric feathers, glass beads, silk fabric, and ribbons
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 7 1/2 x 9 x 4in. (19.1 x 22.9 x 10.2cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineBequest of Martha R. Lambert
Object number1979.68.774
DescriptionWoman's bonnet of a golden-brown-colored silk velvet decorated with glass beads, feathers, and ribbons. The hat, shaped to perch on the back of the wearer's head, has a brim that angles up and away from the bottom of the crown and the wearer's face. The front edge is decorated with a gathering of the velvet onto which has been stitched faceted, iridescent glass beads, 1/2 inch in diameter. The twenty beads are spaced approximately 1/4 inch apart, nestled in between the gathered velvet. The crown is 2 7/8 inches deep. The intersection between brim and crown is decorated with a band of the velvet, the proper left side of which is twisted several times. At the top or center is a decoration of velvet, feathers, and a bow made of silk woven in bands of faille and brown or brown and red velvet. The feathers are falling out from the bunch between the folds of fabric; there is a suggestion from a remaining bone that the original decoration included a bird's head. The back of the hat is decorated with three diagonal folds of velvet. The hat is lined with a black glazed cotton stitched around the inner edge and gathered at the center back. A stiffening fabric of a highly glazed, loosely woven fabric can be seen underneath. The ties, of a satin ribbon colored to match the velvet, are 2 1/2 inches wide and approximately 24 inches in length. The bottoms are cut on a slight diagonal across but heavily frayed.
Status
Not on view
