Hoed van zwart langharig vilt met een zwart satijnen lint om de bol c. 1920 - 1925

This black, long-haired felt hat with a black satin ribbon, made by Itallie-Balvers, is like a soft sculpture. It looks like art you can wear, or art that is wearing you. The texture of the felt is so important. It's not just about keeping your head warm; it's about the way that texture feels, almost a bit unruly. The way the light catches the fuzziness makes it feel alive, like dark matter. And then there’s the satin ribbon, smooth and shiny. It’s a beautiful contrast to the fuzziness of the felt, a little bit of elegance mixed with the wildness. You can imagine Itallie-Balvers, carefully arranging the folds of the ribbon, thinking about balance, thinking about form. This piece reminds me of Meret Oppenheim’s fur-covered teacup. It’s strange, it’s soft, it’s something new to think about.