Hoed met bol in platte pannenkoekvorm, met voile met nopjes en rechts op de hoed een piek als een vliegende vogel van veren c. 1935 - 1937

Marie Arnouts created this hat using straw, feathers, and netting. The hat strikes us with its contrasting textures and forms: the coarse straw of the flat, pancake-like base is juxtaposed against the delicate, dotted netting and the sharp, soaring feather. The hat’s aesthetic tension arises from this interplay of materials and shapes. Arnouts employs a restricted palette—primarily blacks and creams—to focus our attention on the textural contrasts and sculptural forms. The netting veils and softens the hat's silhouette, adding a layer of mystery. Meanwhile, the assertive feather introduces a dynamic, upward thrust, disrupting the hat’s otherwise horizontal orientation. These elements challenge conventional notions of elegance, using abstraction and symbolism to explore themes of transformation and the ephemeral. This hat isn’t simply a fashion accessory; it’s a carefully constructed object that invites contemplation.