Bonnet/Hat

Hat

Female

Primary Materials Black silk (likely taffeta and/or faille) Black silk net as an overlay Extensive black glass bead embroidery Black silk ribbon (ties and decorative bows) Internal silk lining The surface is densely worked with applied bead embroidery arranged in scrolling floral and foliate motifs. These are executed on a net or gauze ground, then applied to the bonnet body — a common couture technique that allowed elaborate decoration without cutting into the structural fabric beneath. The beads are small, matte-to-slightly-gloss black glass, consistent with mourning beadwork rather than jet jewelry (which would be faceted and heavier). Shape Rounded crown closely fitted to the head Shallow depth at the back No projecting brim (a key late-Victorian feature) Designed to sit high and tight at the back of the head This silhouette reflects late Victorian fashion, when hairstyles were worn up and back, and bonnets served as decorative frames rather than shields. Interior Fully silk-lined Lining shows wear, thinning, and discoloration, consistent with contact from hair and pins Interior shaping achieved through gathered silk and stitched folds rather than rigid buckram Trim & Applied Elements Beaded net panels layered and stitched over the bonnet exterior Silk ribbon bows placed asymmetrically for visual balance Additional small beaded tabs or extensions at the sides, possibly once more pronounced Fastening Long silk ribbon ties designed to secure under the chin or at the nape Ties are wide and soft, suggesting decorative intent rather than structural tension

circa 1885 – circa 1890

19th Century

Victorian

Fair

Feb 5, 2026

Beadwork: largely intact, though some loss and loose threads visible Net overlay: fragile, with breaks and fraying Silk lining: worn and weakened Ribbon ties: frayed at ends but original Structural integrity: fair but delicate This bonnet should be considered display-only and handled minimally.

Description

A richly embellished late Victorian mourning bonnet constructed of black silk and net, densely ornamented with glass bead embroidery and secured with silk ribbon ties. Compact in form and sculptural in detail, the bonnet reflects the fashion of the 1880s–1890s, when headwear emphasized surface decoration and close-fitting silhouettes. Despite material fragility and age-related wear, the bonnet remains an evocative example of Victorian millinery and mourning dress.