Top hat 1848 - 1852

This top hat, by Olangan, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is a study in contrasts and controlled form. The hat's rigid cylindrical shape, softened by the plush nap, presents a striking tension. The dark color, almost absolute black, absorbs light, emphasizing the texture and the subtle play of shadow across its surface. Note how the clean lines are interrupted by a simple band, creating a visual break that redirects the eye. The hat's form speaks to the era's obsession with structure and order, yet the choice of material introduces an element of the organic. The very shape challenges fixed notions of utility and decorum. Consider how it interacts with the body, altering posture and presence. This interplay between form, material, and function invites us to reflect on the shifting codes of identity and representation.