Hat c. 20th century

This striking hat, made by an anonymous artist, features found textiles stitched together in a series of bold, colorful combinations. Can you see how the different fabrics are pieced together? I'm really drawn to the way the artist fearlessly combined patterns and textures here, like the floral print next to the gold brocade! It makes me wonder about the maker, and why they chose these particular materials. Were they readily available scraps, or precious remnants saved for a special purpose? I think this hat has come into being through trial, error, and pure intuition. Notice how the coins attached to the red section seem to give it an extra dimension of movement and sound. You can sense the artist’s hand in every stitch, the touch and feel of the fabric guiding the form. The more you look, the more the piece comes to life!