Mourning Hat
German-Woman's hat. Possibly a Mourning Hat.
Found in an attic on a farm in Sonoma county in 1940s.
Small black hat sits on back of head, with long silk moire ribbons that fall down back. Heavily decorated with beads, embroidery, velvet, and lace.
- Object: Mourning Hat
- Artist: -
- Circa: -
- Dimensions: -
- Culture Area: Europe
- Cultural Group: Germany
- Cultural Context: During the 19th century, widows in Europe were expected to mourn the death of a husband for over two years. Mourning the dead in the Victorian age was a very strict and formal event with many rules and regulations. For women, the customs involved wearing heavy, concealing, black clothing, and the use of heavy veils of black crêpe. Special caps and bonnets, usually in black or other dark colors, went with these ensembles. Not wearing black as a widow was considered disrespectful to the deceased and, if she was still young and attractive, suggestive of potential sexual promiscuity.
- Donor: Caryn Inman & JoAnn Miller
- Catalog #: 112.026