Bonnet

Unknown

1873 · silk, linen · Costume Institute

During the early 1870s, hats framed the face and were small in order to create balance in response to the larger bustle silhouette and chignon hairstyles. This form added height to the wearer without creating additional bulk to distract from the overall effect. The flowers here are particularly dense and beautifully made, further exemplifying the quality of this hat.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1873

Medium

silk, linen

Culture

Austrian

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Carrie Lederer, 1937