Black raffia hat with cream embellishments from Mae's Millinery Shop
Object Details
- Description
- A black raffia hat with cream chiffon, lace, and beaded embellishments designed by Mae Reeves. The hat is a rounded crown slightly taller in front with no brim and a single pleat at the center back. It is formed from black braided raffia sewn onto heavy weight black tightly braided synthetic straw. A piece of cream chiffon with scalloped edges is sewn on the top of the hat, with the two longer scalloped pieces on each side of the hat behind the ears. Stiff wire is sewn underneath the edges of the chiffon. Pieces of floral lace have been fussy cut and are sewn onto the chiffon around the edges, with an additional piece of chiffon formed into a circle at the center of the panel and one lace rose sewn into the center of the gathered circle. A strand of faux pearl beads is sewn around the central circle and around the scalloped edges. Iridescent sequins and short lengths of the beads are scattered among the lace flowers. A length of black grosgrain ribbon is folded in quarters and sewn at the proper right side with the ends hanging down beyond the edge of the hat. The hat is not lined beyond the tightly braided straw under layer. A cream fabric label with black printed text reading "Mae Reeves / OF / PHILADELPHIA" is adhered to the interior proper left side.
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from Mae Reeves and her children, Donna Limerick and William Mincey, Jr.
- Data Source
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Date
- 1941-1994
- Object number
- 2010.6.174
- Designed by
- Mae Reeves, American, 1912 - 2016
- Subject of
- Mae's Millinery Shop, American, 1941 - 1994
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
- Type
- hats
- Medium
- raffia, synthetic fiber, chiffon, lace, sequins, ribbon, and beads
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 6 1/4 x 8 1/4 x 8 1/2 in. (15.9 x 21 x 21.6 cm)
- Place made
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America
- See more items in
- National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
- Collection title
- Mae's Millinery Shop Collection
- Classification
- Clothing - Fashion and Historical
- Topic
- African American
- Black Enterprise
- Business
- Clothing and dress
- Design
- Fashion
- Fashion design
- Millinery
- Women
- Record ID
- nmaahc_2010.6.174
