Case for bowler hat c. 1890

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silk, photography

silk

photography

prop product design

england

decorative-art

Dimensions: 9 3/4 × 13 × 11 5/8 in. (24.77 × 33.02 × 29.53 cm) (closed)

This case for a bowler hat was skillfully crafted by an anonymous maker. The case is primarily made of leather, a material valued for its durability and pliability, essential for shaping and protecting its contents. The form is achieved through careful cutting, stitching, and likely the use of wooden molds to create the rounded, rigid structure. The hardware, including the brass lock and buckle, are functional, and add a decorative element to the case. Consider the social context of this object. The bowler hat itself was a symbol of the middle class, and this bespoke case speaks to a specific kind of aspiration. It also hints at the highly developed leather industry required to serve that market. The meticulous handwork involved reflects a tradition of skilled labor, and the value placed on craftsmanship and personal presentation. Ultimately, understanding the materials, processes, and the social context surrounding this humble case allows us to appreciate not only its aesthetic qualities but also its historical and cultural significance.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart over 1 year ago

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A favorite accessory of well-known Japanese kabuki actors such as Ichikawa Danjurō IX (1838–1903), bowler hats made by the bamboo artist Hayakawa Shōkosai I became fashionable in the Meiji period (1856–1912), a time that saw new exposure to non-Japanese cultures and the transformation of fashion choices. By the late 1800s, urban men had all but abandoned the topknot favored during the preceding Edo period (1603–1868) and were wearing their hair short and covered with hats. The ensemble of a hip Tokyoite around 1890 might consist of a more or less traditional kimono, wooden clogs instead of straw sandals, and a novel bowler hat fashioned from rattan and bamboo.