EATHER
HATS
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Picture provided by the marvellous Dragonwings Site |
Feathers
were and still are used to create astounding hat constructions of all
sizes and colors. Sometimes even a whole bird can be seen as a decoration
of a hat.
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The most fanciful hats can be seen at the prestigious horse race taking place in Ascot, England every year. But feather hats still are ordinary fashion accessories found on the streets every day. Many creative feathered hats are specially made for the carnival season and are often worn in addition to masks like the hat shown to the right. The blue feather hat to the left was worn round 1922. |
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Puss in Boots The well known fairy tale by Charles Perrault is centered round a cat in boots who wears a special made feather hat just large enough to cover its small head. The Painting originates on the "Picturing Childhood Homepage" |
The
tale tells the story of the smart cat who helps a poor miller to change
his life with its magical gift to turn into anything wanted. The furry
main character wants to be clothed just like its human companions. He
requires a pair of boots and a hat after the latest fashion - of course
with a feather in it. At the end of the fairy tale everybody gets happy.
The miller gets to marry his princess and the cat gets to keep his hat.
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Feathered
hats have also found their way into the arts. Gustav Klimt´s painting
called "The Black Feather Hat" takes its place amongst the
best known paintings of all times. An interesting fact about this painting
is that it was not named after the portrayed person herself, but rather
after the one thing that nearly occupies most room in the picture -
the black feather hat.
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Feather
Hat round 1914
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Painting
by Gustav Klimt
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Feather plumes like this Bavarian Plume can add a personal touch to you favorite hat and can even be worn as a brooch if the weather is stormy. Image provided by "Tartangift" |
Civil Feather Hat, round 1930 Image provided by the Canadian Museum of Civilization Collection - Catalogue Number CMC 986.21.4 |
Many hats used in military history have been decorated with feathers. They have been indicators of the soldier´s insignia of rank. While not especially helpful in the field, the feathery accessories were the proud of all soldiers. Some of the military fashion ideas have carried over into civil life resulting in new fashion fads. Most feather bonnets are made out of ostrich feathers mounted on a wire framework. To the right you can see Lieutenant Colonel James Whittaker Barnes commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion of the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) wearing a Feather Bonnet about 1881. Picture provided by Fred Larimore |
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This
unique looking hat has feathers fastened to its top. It has been worn
by Kuban kings and senior titled men in Zaire. The hat can now been
seen in the Museum of Cultural History in the University of California
in Los Angeles.
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Feather head-dresses, also called feather bonnets, are the well-known headgears skillfully made in many countries all around the world. For more information on this subject, please go to "Mythology" the section. Feather Head-dress - Image provided by the Canadian Museum of Civilization Collection - Catalogue Number 1922, CMC V-D-198 |
For
information on Robin Hood´s Feather Cap please go to the "Mythology"
section.
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Touch
the feather to get back to the top
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Lady
with blue feather hat and Lady in front of mirror bought from Corbis.
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