Images(4)

Hat

Dateca. 1760s

OriginEngland or Europe

MediumSilk, Straw

DimensionsDiameter: 17.25 in. Crown (Underside): 6 inches Crown Depth: 3/8 inch Ribbon around the crown: 1.25 inches Ribbon ties: 2 inches

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, The Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Fund

Object number2018-227

DescriptionWide brimmed hat with small, shallow crown of plaited straw. The hat top has been covered in a pattern woven red silk with small floral buds and circles halved by two different patterns within the shape resembling stylized acorns in groups of three. At the crown, the silk appears to have been gathered and sewn at the top, after which a circular 4.25 inch piece of the same silk was attached with the raw edges turned under to create the finished appearance. Around the perimeter of the hat crown is a length of cream silk plain woven ribbon gathered and made into 10 loops with a bow at back. The underside of the hat is covered in a cream plain woven silk. The interior crown, the construction work is exposed, showing the cream silk cut into eight points and adhered to the straw. This was probably covered with an additional circle of silk to conceal the construction details and provide a cleaner, more finished final product. At either side of the interior crown are a pair of 2 inch wide plain woven cream silk ties. Each ribbon measures 15 inches long but may have been shortened over time.