c. 1870s. Sloped oval brown straw toque or cap, brimless, constructed over a crinoline material (starched heavy mesh) structure, covered in turn with a pale brown fabric. Sixteen lengthwise rows of a ..
more »c. 1870s. Sloped oval brown straw toque or cap, brimless, constructed over a crinoline material (starched heavy mesh) structure, covered in turn with a pale brown fabric. Sixteen lengthwise rows of a two-part straw trim are sewn to the fabric over the crown, each row made of a flat braid sewn to a tubular braid shaped into a zig-zag. The edge of the toque is wired for support and covered with a band of brown velvet, its inside edge left unhemmed but finished on the outside. A matching band of four brown velvet ruffles is sewn around the edge. There is a gap in the ruffles at the center front, likely where a focal element once was or was intended to be; the original inventory notes that there was once "a different trim." There is no lining. Hand-sewn.
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