hat; dance-hat(?) BM-As1933-0508.57

Period:Unknown Production date:20thC (early?)
Materials:silk, paper (?), silver, wood, gold, turquoise,
Technique:brocaded, appliqué, damask, painted, velvet,

Dimensions:Diameter: 55.80 centimetres Height: 53 centimetres Weight: 805 grammes

Description:
A hat; a dance-hat. Wide, circular brim, with skull. Made from brocaded cloth (floral patterning, with gold leaf (on paper (?) base) on dark brown satin silk ground); attached to wooden hoop. Eight facets to crown, topped with padded dark brown silk velvet ring, silver skull and wooden ‘visvavajra’ [Sanskrit] / ‘dorje’ [Tibetan] / crossed thunderbolt, coated with gold (?) paint (wooden stem). White, pink and blue cords interlaced on brim to form eight-pointed star. Each innermost segment contains an appliquéd cream and black ‘eye’ motif (satin silk cloth). A gold disc with turquoise stone in centre and silver crescent moon beneath at centre front. Underside lined with orange silk damask cloth; four ties made of yellow satin silk cloth.
IMG


Comments: