English Brocade Man's Cap
c 1715-20

This cap was in the collection of Emma-Henrietta Schiff von Suvero (1863-1924). Fifteen years after her death the pieces were sold to the Staatliche Kunstgewerbemuseum, Vienna, Austria in August 1939. The Museum now known as the Museum fur Angewandte Kunst (MAK) displayed and stored the items until they were rightfully restituted by the Austrian Government to the descendants of Emma-Henrietta in Spring 2003. There is a tiny label attached to the lace with £2 written in ink. For relaxing at home men would remove their cocked hats and wigs and put on soft caps over their bald heads. Worn with a morning gown or banyan. Probably made from left over pieces from a lady's dress. See:Baumarten, Linda <,i> What Clothes Reveal p 110. The Colonial Williamsburg Collection.

Cataloguing

the crown of woven brocade using apricot, soft terracotta and mid green silks, the background of silver thread with a foliate design, silver braid dividing the crown into four segments, the upturned brim lined with apricot silk tafetta, the brim woven in crimson, apricot, shades of blue and green silks, the ground woven with silver thead, with a variety of flowers, edged with scalloped silver/gold bobbin lace, lined with linen,, 6 1/2 in. h, 20 in. inside circ.

Condition

Very good. Wonderful quality and highly expensive brocade. The colours under the brim are brighter than those exposed. There was crimson lining which was probably Edwardian.I have removed this to reveal linen which may be original. It is sewn with linen thread. It is quite clean The lace has tarnished being more golden on the underside.

Price: £1,200 | $1,920 | €1,500

Ref N°: 5786