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Requires Photography
Hat
American
1910-1917
Medium/Technique
embroidered cotton, silk satin ribbon
Credit Line
Gift of the American Textile History Museum—Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln Clark Jr.
Accession Number2017.899
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionHat; off-white embroidered eyelet with satin ribbon and concentric rows of lace under brim. Hat is constructed on wire frame with short straight crown and flat top; brim is wide. Frame is covered with off-white embroidered eyelet gathered loosely at bottom of crown. Eyelet embroidery design shows floral blossoms and thin vines with leaves. Off-white satin ribbon (1.5") tied around crown in double bow at center back. Underside of brim decorated with concentric rows of lace trim. Inside front of frame padded with velvet band. Crown leans forward, but it is not clear if this was the original shape or if the hat has been bent. Margaret E. Mills of Chelmsford bequathed these, along with the rest of her estate, to Mr. and Mrs. Clark. Ms. Mills was a neighbor and had no children. She "adopted" Mrs.Clark's family. Mrs.Clark promised Ms.Mills that she would not sell anything from the house. Ms Mills' aunt was a milliner in Lowell and Mrs.Clark thinks the hats came from her. Ms.Mills' mother was the daughter of a female mill worker- a long line of women mill workers.
ProvenanceOctober 1998, given by Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln Clark, Jr. to the Museum of American Textile History Museum, Lowell, Massachusetts; 2017, gift of the American Textile History Museum to the MFA. (Accession date: June 21, 2017)