Collections Database

Description:
Man's nightcap made of white cotton or fustian (cotton/linen) embellished with a repeating, crewel embroidered floral pattern featuring rinceaux, or scrolled, designs. Caps like this example were worn for informal, indoor occasions to protect men's heads from drafts during the 17th and 18th centuries, when wigs were removed and bare heads could catch cold. This cap is made from four nearly identical, pre-embroidered segments which are joined together using reinforced (French or flat felled) seams after the embellishment. The turned up brim was attached separately, and the edges are bound in twill tape edging.

Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+F.429

Research on objects in the collections, including provenance, is ongoing and may be incomplete. If you have additional information or would like to learn more about a particular object, please email fc-museums-web@fivecolleges.edu.