silk, textile
silk
textile
decorative-art
Dimensions 5 3/4 × 11 3/4 × 11 3/4 in. (14.61 × 29.85 × 29.85 cm)
This hat, made by an anonymous artist, is a poignant cultural artifact whose origins and stories are shrouded in mystery. Head coverings often carry profound symbolic weight, acting as markers of identity, status, and belonging within specific communities. Hats like this one have historically been used across numerous cultures to signify social standing, religious affiliation, or even political allegiance. The anonymity of its maker is a powerful reminder of the countless individuals whose labor and creativity have shaped our world. Whose hands wove this object? What traditions and beliefs did they carry? This hat invites us to consider the narratives embedded in everyday objects, offering a glimpse into the lives and histories of those who remain unnamed. It whispers stories of cultural exchange, adaptation, and the enduring human desire to create. It encourages us to contemplate the collective identities and shared histories that bind us together.
Comments
Hats like this one, called gat in Korean, are made of horsetail hair and silk on a bamboo frame. In the 1800s they were only worn by married, middle-class men. Gat rode atop the head (rather than low on the brow like Western hats), were worn over an inner hat called a tanggeon, and were tied under the chin with black cords that might fall as low as the man’s lower torso.
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