Bonnet
Unknown Artist
1800–1875
Medium
straw
Classification
Bonnet
Culture
American or European
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Aline Bernstein, 1938
Accession Number
C.I.38.55
Art Historical Context
This delicate straw bonnet, crafted by an unknown artist between 0 and 1875, exemplifies the refined headwear that defined women's fashion during the Regency and Victorian eras. Popular in both American and European cultures,nets like this one framed the face modestly while offering practical sun protection for outdoor pursuits. Made from woven straw—a lightweight, breathable natural material—the bonnet highlights the artistry of plaiting techniques where thin straw strands were meticulously intertwined to create durable, elegant shapes. Such craftsmanship turned everyday fibers into objects o...