Bonnet
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Mary Foote
(American)
MillinerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1820-1830
MediumHand-stitched braided straw or grass, with silk and cotton, and wire
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 5 x 17 3/8 x 14in. (12.7 x 44.1 x 35.6cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mary Dexter
DescriptionWoman's bonnet of black-dyed braided straw or grass. The extremely wide brim, pieced in the back, is approximately 5 1/2 inches deep in the center front. The brim forms a wide circle, curving in at the base of the crown, with the ends approximately five inches apart. A separate piece of braiding, 7/8 inch wide, is stitched on top of the edge of the brim. The crown, approximately 4 3/4 inches high, is approximately seven inches in diameter. The crown is encircled with a 3 3/4-inch-wide black silk ribbon, with large bows on each side, parts of which are stitched to the top of the crown. The edge of the brim, which is stiffened by wire, is covered with a 1 5/8-inch-wide decorative edging of black silk, also stiffened with wire. This edging is stitched under the brim to white silk, which is pleated to the inside of the crown. The crown is lined with stiffened, leno-weave gauze and a very loosely woven fabric. A curtain of black silk is gathered and stitched to the back of the crown at the bottom. The black silk ribbon ties are stitched to the inside of the crown and measure 3 3/8-inches-wide and approximately 28 inches long. One end, the proper right, has been cut to a diagonal. The proper left is cut to a swallowtail.
Object number1988.188.2
On View
Not on view