Bonnet
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Mrs. Hilliard
MillinerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1888
MediumHand-stitched heavy silk faille, with faille ribbon and an open-woven fabric for trim, cotton lining, and a heavily stiffened fabric and wire frame
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 7 1/2 x 6 1/2 x 4 3/8in. (19.1 x 16.5 x 11.1cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
Object number1983.169.0
DescriptionWoman's bonnet entirely in black accept for a line of white trim around the face. The bonnet frame is covered with a black silk faille with heavy ribs. The ribbon used for the ties and decoration is 2 1/2 inches wide, with a much lighter faille weave and decorative edges. The bonnet is very square in shape, meant to fit close to the head. The narrow brim is 1 1/2 inches wide at the center top, narrowing to the corners. The bottom line of the bonnet is very straight around to the back of the neck. The edge of the brim is decorated with piping of the heavy faille; this continues around to the back of the neck. The underside of the brim is first lined with the heavy faille. A tube (eleven inches long) of a fine, open-woven, white fabric that has been starched is stitched on top of the faille around the forehead area. This fabric has been turned and gathered before sewing, but retains a tube shape. A bias strip of lighter faille is sewn over the base of this trim to secure the bottom edge. The crown is approximately 2 1/2 inches deep. The oval back is five inches wide and seven inches high. The sides of the crown are decorated with four folds of the faille next to the seam at the back. The bottom of the crown is cut flat across, keeping in line with the front angle of the brim. Bows are used to decorate the bonnet. At the top of the brim, a bow of ribbon, with several loops on each side, sits on top of a larger bow made from the heavy faille. Another bow of ribbon is stitched, upside down, to the bottom of the crown at the back of the neck. The ribbon ties begin under this bow, the material being folded along the bottom edge before extending out from each front corner. The bonnet is lined with a black glazed cotton cut in two pieces. The first strip is stitched under the brim and drawn up over the second piece, which covers the back of the crown. The frame, made from layers of a brown open-woven fabric glued together, is very sturdy. Wire is used to stabilize the edge all around.
Status
Not on view
