Rouwsteek van zwart vilt; model chapeau bras before 1843

This black felt hat, known as a "Rouwsteek," was created before 1843 by Dutch artist Isaäc Johannes Froger. The hat, now in the Rijksmuseum, is a model for a "chapeau bras," a type of military hat. The hat's design is simple, with a flat brim and a black felt fabric, but the decorative element on top with its gold details and intricate braidwork elevates it to a work of art. The small size of the hat indicates it was created as a model, suggesting Froger's expertise in hat-making, and serving as a valuable artifact for studying fashion history.