Accession No
1924.1251 B
Description
Very large hat made from leaves and worn while working the paddy fields. Slightly domed brim made from leaf segments reinforced with sewn radial strips and a double rim of cane; central domed projection made from leaf segments decorated with rings of carved and serrated wood and wrapped wire; conical peak made from carved wood at top of crown; underside decorated with shaped and painted pieces of leaf and rings of cane in black, red and yellow; thin strips of cane wrapped with metal wire below headband; headband made from a strip of cane painted red, with two layers of velvet in green and brown.
Place
Asia; Southeast Asia; Myanmar; Southern Shan State
Period
Source
Jackson, H. [donor]
Department
Anth
Reference Numbers
1924.1251 B
Cultural Affliation
Shan
Material
Plant; Leaf; ?Plantain; Pigment; Cane; Wood; Fibre; Cotton; Metal; Copper alloy
Local Term
Measurements
910mm x 260mm
Events
Context (Production / use)
Worn by Shans in rain while working in paddy fields.
Event Date
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)
Description (Physical description)
Catalogue card: 'Hat of palm leaves.'
Event Date 1924
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)
Description (Physical description)
The centre of the hat is ball-shape and is composed of bi-colour (red and brown) circular strips. 23 slightly curved segments sewn together form the wide circle of the hat. The edge is composed of two circular wooden twigs. The outer rim is red. The inner part is a lighter colour. The edge of the hollow centre circle is decorated with red, pink, yellow and black pigments. There are two velvet rings, one- green, the other- black. 23 cut-out leaves painted in red, black and yellow are sewn around the central circle.
Event Date 27/2/2006
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)
Description (Physical description)
Very large hat made from leaves and worn while working the paddy fields. Slightly domed brim made from leaf segments reinforced with sewn radial strips and a double rim of cane; central domed projection made from leaf segments decorated with rings of carved and serrated wood and wrapped wire; conical peak made from carved wood at top of crown; underside decorated with shaped and painted pieces of leaf and rings of cane in black, red and yellow; thin strips of cane wrapped with metal wire below headband; headband made from a strip of cane painted red, with two layers of velvet in green and brown.
Event Date 24/7/2024
Author: Katrina Dring
Context (Analysis)
The British Museum cares for a hat showing very similar construction techniques, As1922,0310.19. Their Register describes it as being made from plantain leaves - this has now been added as a possibility to the Materials field.
Event Date 24/7/2024
Author: Katrina Dring
FM:280756
Images (Click to view full size):