Bergère Straw Hat
1770s

The straw hat would have come from Leghorn, Italy and the silk brocade and ribbons from France. It appears that this bergére was never finished, but luckily has all the pieces. Bergére means shepherdess. Leghorn straw was grown in Livorno, near Genoa.

Cataloguing

The large flat very finely plaited Leghorn straw with a shallow crown, the underside rim edged with a mid-green bias tape, crudely stitched with linen thread, the crown applied with pasted linen gauze (for strengethening).

17 1/4; 44 cm diameter.

Two small fabric circles for the crown, one of madder block printed French cotton, the other French brocade in chocolate brown with pale green and silver flowers and leaves.

4 1/2 in; 12 cm diameter.

A large circle of French roller printed magenta cotton with ribbons and flowers, the blue hand painted, made up of 8 pieces.

17 1/4 in; 44 cm diameter.

Two silk brocade ribbons of sea green with ivory flowers laying on fine flattened gold tinsel, picot edging.

25 1/2 and 24 in x 2 in; 66 and 64 cm x 5 cm.

There are also a group of five small pieces of the French cotton.

Condition

The hat is in very very good condition apart from a couple of pin head dark marks. The small crimson circle in very good condtion. The brocade has a patchy brown background. The large crimson circle is in good condition. There are also a small group of this fabric. One of the brocade ribbon ties is a little bit worn at the edge.

Comments

Fashion. Kyoto Costume Institute p 61

Price: on request

Ref N°: 1385