Hat

Date1675-1725

MediumUnidentified plant fiber

DimensionsOverall diameter 22"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1969-265,1

DescriptionWoman's natural-color fiber hat with wide brim and shallow crown. Fiber from which hat made woven in an intricate pattern of linked oval medallins enclosed in diamond lozenges which converge at center crown to form a five-pointed star. Red ribbon is later replacement.

Construction History:
1. 1675-1725 Initial Construction
2. Date Unknown- blue ribbon added or replaced, ribbon on hat when acquired by CWF
3. Date Unknown- hat mended with straw patches
4. 1986- ribbon replaced again with current red ribbon
Label TextHat
Possibly Southeast Asia, probably worn in England
1675-1725
Unidentified plant fiber, later ribbon
1969-265, 1
This hat was purchased in England and is similar to one that descended in the Kennet family, Sellindge, Kent, England. Several other hats of this design have histories of being owned by British royalty. The origin of these hats is still a mystery; scholars have suggested Spain, the Canary Islands, Italy, or Bantam in Southeast Asia as possible sources. The hats reached England by the export trade.

ProvenanceThe hat was purchased in England. It is similar to one that descended in the Kennet family, Sellindge, Kent, England. It is possible the hat was made in Bantam, located in present-day southeast Asia, and shipped to Britain.