Costume and Textiles Man's Bicorne Hat Made in Paris, France, Europec. 1800-1825 Artist/maker unknown, French. Worn by George Harrison, while in diplomatic service, American, 1762 - 1845. Black fur felt; black ostrich plumes; black moiré ribbed silk ribbon; metallic thread braid; gold metal button Currently not on view 1956-29-5 Gift of Mrs. William Howard Hart, 1956 |
LabelHats with the brim folded up on two sides (a variant on the earlier three-cornered hat) were adopted by young fops in the late eighteenth century. Bicornes, as they later came to be called, could be worn pointed front to back or, as Napoleon preferred, side to side. Long after the fashion for bicornes passed, they remained part of many uniforms, including formal diplomatic wear. For this ceremonial role, the crescent-shaped hats were not usually worn on the head, but carried flat under the arm as what became known as chapeau bras. |
