Description: Woman's black napped felt hat. 2 large curved black ostrich feathers attached at back of hat and sweeping one above and one below brim to front center of hat at eye level (lower feather is supported in position by a thread). Rounded crown is 3.5" tall, surrounded with black satin fabric, folded and stiffened with crinoline. Bow in back 10 lobed, ribbon 5" wide. Smaller silk lined wire structure inside crown to lift hat off head; it is edged with back velvet and is peaked in front. Layers of black tulle are under brim and between cap and crown. Brim is 5" deep, cocked in back and held in place by the bow. Gold printed on black label: "Modes/ Louise Sheppard./ 46 West 33d St,/ NEW YORK."
Label Text: Both of these hats were worn by the donor’s mother, New York native Eleanor Fitzgerald Esleeck (1887-1972). In 1916, she married Irving N. Esleeck, heir to the Esleeck Manufacturing Company in Turner’s Falls (1901-2006). Living in a more rural area, Esleeck continued to shop in New York City for many of her clothes and accessories well into her marriage.
Subjects: Textile fabrics; Silk Link to share this object record: https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+94.004.18 |