Was this made as a smoking cap for a American gentleman? The style of design of the beadwork is known as the Niagara floral style and was made in the Eastern United States Great Lakes area known as Northeastern Woodlands. By the mid 18th century Indian women were adapting their wares and producing beadwork hats, pouches and mocassins for trade with the European fur traders. Beads, ribbons and wool cloth were traded for furs and hides. During the 19th century wealthy tourists would buy these products as souvenirs.
the dark brown velvet ground constructed in four sections, each with a curved lower section, beaded with stylised flowers worked over paper, in turquoise, red, pink, yellow, green, blue, white and clear beads, edged with rows of beads, the bottom edged with red cotton, the lining with brown glazed cotton, 6 in/15 cm high.
Some beads have been lost, others slightly loose. Some areas to reveal paper ground. The very top of the hat has stitches missing. We will provide photos of each section for you to view.
Beadwork by Caroline Crabtree & Pam Stallebrass p 88.
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