Not currently on display at the V&A

Hat

late 19th Century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown
Place of origin
China (made)

Hat of dark blue velvet and blue satin for a civil Mandarin of the ninth rank. The velvet brim is slightly tapered and stiffened, and the satin crown has red silk tassels in the centre. A pigtail about 40 inches (101.6 cm) long with a tassel is attached to the back. The hat is lined with red cotton and on it is a label with Chinese characters. A gilt hat knob appropriate to the rank of the wearer is fixed to the crown.


Object details

Categories
Textiles
Men's Clothes
Formal Wear
Hats & Headwear
Accessories
Object type
Hat
Materials and techniques
Stiffened velvet, silk satin and silk
Brief description
Hat of stiffened velvet and silk satin, China, late 19th century
Physical description
Hat of dark blue velvet and blue satin for a civil Mandarin of the ninth rank. The velvet brim is slightly tapered and stiffened, and the satin crown has red silk tassels in the centre. A pigtail about 40 inches (101.6 cm) long with a tassel is attached to the back. The hat is lined with red cotton and on it is a label with Chinese characters. A gilt hat knob appropriate to the rank of the wearer is fixed to the crown.
Dimensions
  • Top of brim diameter: 8.75in
  • Brim height: 3.25in
Style
Qing
Credit line
Given in memory of Edwin Darlington C.I.E., Father of the Donor
Object history
Part of an ensemble T.40 to J-1956 for a Mandarin of the ninth rank. A ninth rank Mandarin is an unplaced official.
Bibliographic references
  • Garrett, Valery M. A Collector's Guide to Chinese Dress Accessories. Singapore: Times Editions, 1997.
  • Garrett, Valery M.Chinese Clothing: An Illustrated Guide. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994.
  • Wilson, Verity. Chinese Dress. London: V&A Publications, 1986. p.28
Collection
East Asia Collection
Accession number
T.40B-1956

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Record createdJune 29, 2011
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1224054/hat-unknown/
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