Child's Cap c. 1920 - 1940

This Child’s Cap, made in Chitral, is a gorgeous riot of material, color and texture. It looks like it was assembled through play; I can imagine the maker enjoying the process, the handwork. When I look at the piece, I’m drawn to the incredible detail of the embroidered patterns and embellishments. The red and gold threads create a lovely contrast against the black background, and the little dots of white and turquoise beads add a playful energy. I can’t help but think about the texture of the materials – the feel of the soft fabric, the smooth beads, the shiny sequins. There’s so much to touch, to see, to experience in this piece. The zig zag patterns really pop, drawing my eye up and down and around the entire piece. This is a really special piece, so raw and beautiful! It reminds me of some of the work of Yayoi Kusama, with her obsessive use of dots and patterns. Like Kusama’s work, this child’s cap is both visually stunning and deeply personal. There's really so much here!