Description:
Woman's hood embroidered with the initials "ME" and the date "1634" (or "1684") on the crown in matching linen thread. Hoods were an integral part of women's fashion in the 16th and 17th centuries worn in both indoor and outdoor settings. Hoods were a gender-appropriate fashion in England, Europe, and the American colonies, especially for married women who were expected to cover their heads and hair. This example was meant to be worn closest to the hair, and would have been covered with another piece of headwear, perhaps even another (outer) hood. The construction of this hood is based on draping, with gussets inserted at the neck area so that the accessory lays as flat as possible while being worn. The neck extenstion may have functioned as a partlett or modesty piece, covering the neckling of the gown or jacket. Other forms of hoods also popular in 17th- and 18th-century New England include riding hoods and hoods made from silk, gauze, and camlet.

Subjects:
Linen; Embroidery; Textile fabrics

Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2019.28

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.