Calash
Category
Costume
Date
1780 - 1790
Materials
Silk, split cane, card.
Measurements
360 x 320 x 230 mm
Place of origin
England
Collection
Springhill, County Londonderry
NT 604926
Summary
A woman's bonnet in the "calash" style, made from brown silk stitched to a split cane frame. The brown silk outer layer is stitched to eight separate articulated cane hoops, allowing for flexibility in adjusting the depth of the hat for the wearer. The bonnet has an integral shallow neck skirt gathered at the nape and the back of the bonnet is reinforced with card for support. Inside, the hat is fully lined in pale blue silk, also individually stitched to the cane hoops, The original brown silk ties are intact. The calash style was designed in th late 18th century to allow women to wear a fashionable headdress without damaging their coiffure. Hairstyles in this period were becoming increasingly large and elaborate, but bonnets were still required for protection and decency.
Provenance
Gift of Miss Ward