Child's Hat
Artist:
Unknown
Place made:China
General region:Asia
Culture: Chinese
Period: Qing dynasty
Dynasty: Qing
Date: 19th century
Medium: Satin
Dimensions:
h. 8 in. (20.3 cm); circum. 20 in. (50.8 cm)
Credit Line: San Antonio Museum of Art, gift of Mrs. Campbell Smith
Object number: 88.19.5
Label Text
Hat for a Child
China
Qing dynasty (1644-1911), late 19th century
Silk, silk floss embroidery, and leather
Gift of Mrs. Campbell Smith
88.19.5
This hat offers adornment, protection, and best wishes to a toddler. It is formed by petals evoking a lotus flower, a symbol of purity. A lotus pod-shaped topknot further suggests the visual connection with the lotus, a popular motif in Chinese art. The hat is embellished with embroidered images full of hidden meanings. The stack of books, sword on the front, and coins on the back represent wishes for scholarly and martial achievements and the accumulation of wealth. Due to high infant mortality prior to the introduction of modern medicine, hats for babies almost became talismanic objects believed capable of warding off evil spirits and ensuring success in adulthood.
China
Qing dynasty (1644-1911), late 19th century
Silk, silk floss embroidery, and leather
Gift of Mrs. Campbell Smith
88.19.5
This hat offers adornment, protection, and best wishes to a toddler. It is formed by petals evoking a lotus flower, a symbol of purity. A lotus pod-shaped topknot further suggests the visual connection with the lotus, a popular motif in Chinese art. The hat is embellished with embroidered images full of hidden meanings. The stack of books, sword on the front, and coins on the back represent wishes for scholarly and martial achievements and the accumulation of wealth. Due to high infant mortality prior to the introduction of modern medicine, hats for babies almost became talismanic objects believed capable of warding off evil spirits and ensuring success in adulthood.
On view
In Collection(s)
The San Antonio Museum of Art is in the process of digitizing its permanent collection. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect SAMA's complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of such records is ongoing.
This resource has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the Human Endeavor.
