| Maker(s): | Loomis, Lewis & Company | | Culture: | American
| | Title: | tall hat
| | Date Made: | 1870-1875
| | Type: | Clothing
| | Materials: | textile: black cut pile silk (plush), wool lining under brim, silk grosgrain ribbon trim; leather, base metal, paper
| | Place Made: | United States; Massachusetts; Westfield
| | Measurements: | overall: 7 x 10 1/4 x 11 1/2 in.; 17.78 x 26.035 x 29.21 cm
| | Accession Number: | HD V.079
| | Credit Line: | Gift of Mrs. William Kaynor, Jr.
| | Museum Collection: | Historic Deerfield
|
|
|
Description:
Man's tall or top hat made of black cut pile silk (plush) sold by the firm of Loomis, Lewis & Company. This was the partnership of Albion Wesley Lewis (1828-1903) and his father-in-law, Timothy H. Loomis (1810-1877) of Westfield, who were in business from the late 1850s-early 1860s to Loomis' death in 1877. The crown is 6.5" high, with the bottom and top diameter 23" and the middle 22" (appears to expand about 1.5" from top). The top of the crown is 7x7.5" plush in combed into a swirled patten. The base of the crown is decorated with a black .8" grosgrain ribbon with a small rectangular black buckle (with two pointed prongs). The brim is 2" deep, slightly upturned on sides (which may just be mis-shaping), and edged with grosgrain. The very edge of the brim is upturned on sides. The underside of the brim in lined with fine greenish wool. There is a 2.5" leather band inside with a blue silk ribbon. The crown is paper lined (grey), which is printed to look like moire.
Label Text:
By the turn of the 19th century, the fashionable man’s hat became taller and more slender. These tall, or top, hats were made from dyed beaver fur, silk, or even palm leaf. Crown height and silhouette shifted throughout much of the century, as did the width of the brim. All, however, have in common an inherent, if impractical, luxury. Gift from Joseph Peter Spang III, 10/1972.
Subjects:
Textile fabrics; Leather; Silk; Wool Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+V.079 |
