Bonnet thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Bonnet

ca. 1805 - ca. 1810 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This light summer bonnet fits easily onto the head and protects the eyes and face from the sun whilst creating a strong but simple silhouette. Women's fashion of the early 1800s drew heavily on themes from the classical world. A surge in interest of antique sculpture, painting and architecture, due in part to excavations of ancient Greek and Roman sites, such as Pompeii, led to a vogue for clean lines, unadorned fabrics, draped shawls and hair worn close to the head.

The simple graphic lines of this close-fitting bonnet are composed from bands of straw plait alternating with sections of cream silk satin. The fabric is gathered at the back of the hat to curve gently around the head.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silk satin with plaited straw
Brief description
Bonnet of white satin, English, ca. 1805 - ca. 1810
Physical description
Bonnet of white satin. Shaped in the form of a coal scuttle with both the seams and the brim banded with natural straw plaits. It is half lined in white silk and there is a gathering ribbon of white silk at the back of the crown.
Credit line
Given by Mrs K. Henton
Object history
Registered File number 1963/564
Summary
This light summer bonnet fits easily onto the head and protects the eyes and face from the sun whilst creating a strong but simple silhouette. Women's fashion of the early 1800s drew heavily on themes from the classical world. A surge in interest of antique sculpture, painting and architecture, due in part to excavations of ancient Greek and Roman sites, such as Pompeii, led to a vogue for clean lines, unadorned fabrics, draped shawls and hair worn close to the head.

The simple graphic lines of this close-fitting bonnet are composed from bands of straw plait alternating with sections of cream silk satin. The fabric is gathered at the back of the hat to curve gently around the head.
Bibliographic reference
Cullen, Oriole et al. Hats : An Anthology by Stephen Jones. London : V & A Publishing, 2009 no. 223
Collection
Accession number
T.81-1963

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Record createdMay 19, 2009
Record URL
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