Contact Seller
Doe And Hope
Tel07729 213013Please quote Antiques Atlas.
Policeman's Helmet. DORSET Constabulary
Antique Boxed Silk Top Hat by Henry Heath, c.1917
French Felt Bowler Hat in Original Hat Box Blois
Vintage Grey Top Hat and Hat Box
A Good Straw Boater. good condition
A Fedora Hat in decent condition. 1950s
A Straw Boater with Band. Great Condition.
Flat Cap. Good condition.
Sale On. Vintage Christys Fedora Fine Fur Felt Hat
Antique Top Hat and Box P & C Habig Vienna
African Mokorotlo Hat
Antique Hat Box, English, Leather, Silk Top Hat
Non UK callers :
+44 7729 213013
Rare Mid-19thC Ladies Silk Welsh Hat
The rare Welsh ladies hat or ‘Het Gymreig’ in mushroom coloured silk of typical broad rimmed form the interior with label for ‘Carver & Co late Dale & Co’ made in Bristol exclusively for the female Welsh market in the mid nineteenth century.
The condition of the hat is thoroughly charming and evocative though a little tatty. The bow is possibly later, and there are a small number of tears and some misshapenness, losses and general wear particularly to the top, which is a common theme for antique hats. Please view the photographs for visual reference.
The Welsh hat has been an icon of Wales since the 1830s when it first made its appearance. Before that date, working women wore men's hats made of felt, either similar in shape to a bowler hat, or like a Welsh hat, but with a much lower crown.
During the 1830s, the crown on the woman's hat suddenly rose. The reason for this is unknown, but the tall hat may have influenced it with narrow curved brim worn by gentlewomen when horse riding. The new Welsh hat was made of silk plush on a buckram shell strengthened with resin – exactly the same materials from which men's top hats were made. The crowns of the hats worn in south and south-west Wales were slightly conical in shape and most were made by Christys of London and Stockport, or Carver and Co of Bristol as this example is. The hats worn in north Wales generally had a slightly shorter crown and straight sides with most of these examples made by Welsh hatters.
The Welsh hat seems to have been worn (with a full Welsh costume) only by the wives and daughters of successful farmers when attending chapel or church at special events such as eisteddfodau and royal visits and especially when selling their wares at market. The Welsh hat seem to have started to go out of fashion during the 1860s, but a few women continued to wear them until there was a revival of the Welsh costume during the 1890s.
There were many hat makers in Bristol, but only two, known as Carver and Co. Late Dale and Co. and Carver, Jefferis and Co., are known to have made Welsh hats. It appears that Carver took over Dale sometime between 1850 and 1858, and Carver was joined by Jefferis by 1863. The most intriguing question about the origin of the Welsh hat is why two English firms should have produced quite large numbers of a unique shaped silk hat which were bought only by the women of Wales. “If there were no high hats there would be no bald heads, but, on the other hand, if there were no heads there would be no hats” Cambrian, 25 November 1892.
This ‘out of date old Welsh hat, formerly worn by the witches of the historian’s imagination’ (1892) is a scarce survivor and a beautiful and bewitching collectable.
SellerDoe And Hope
View all stock from
Doe And Hope
Private dealer, By appointment only
The Onion Barn, Shoe Cottage,
15 High Street, Blunham,
Bedfordshire, MK44 3NL.
MK44 3NL
Tel : 07729 213013
Non UK callers : +44 7729 213013
Get directions to Doe And Hope
The condition of the hat is thoroughly charming and evocative though a little tatty. The bow is possibly later, and there are a small number of tears and some misshapenness, losses and general wear particularly to the top, which is a common theme for antique hats. Please view the photographs for visual reference.
The Welsh hat has been an icon of Wales since the 1830s when it first made its appearance. Before that date, working women wore men's hats made of felt, either similar in shape to a bowler hat, or like a Welsh hat, but with a much lower crown.
During the 1830s, the crown on the woman's hat suddenly rose. The reason for this is unknown, but the tall hat may have influenced it with narrow curved brim worn by gentlewomen when horse riding. The new Welsh hat was made of silk plush on a buckram shell strengthened with resin – exactly the same materials from which men's top hats were made. The crowns of the hats worn in south and south-west Wales were slightly conical in shape and most were made by Christys of London and Stockport, or Carver and Co of Bristol as this example is. The hats worn in north Wales generally had a slightly shorter crown and straight sides with most of these examples made by Welsh hatters.
The Welsh hat seems to have been worn (with a full Welsh costume) only by the wives and daughters of successful farmers when attending chapel or church at special events such as eisteddfodau and royal visits and especially when selling their wares at market. The Welsh hat seem to have started to go out of fashion during the 1860s, but a few women continued to wear them until there was a revival of the Welsh costume during the 1890s.
There were many hat makers in Bristol, but only two, known as Carver and Co. Late Dale and Co. and Carver, Jefferis and Co., are known to have made Welsh hats. It appears that Carver took over Dale sometime between 1850 and 1858, and Carver was joined by Jefferis by 1863. The most intriguing question about the origin of the Welsh hat is why two English firms should have produced quite large numbers of a unique shaped silk hat which were bought only by the women of Wales. “If there were no high hats there would be no bald heads, but, on the other hand, if there were no heads there would be no hats” Cambrian, 25 November 1892.
This ‘out of date old Welsh hat, formerly worn by the witches of the historian’s imagination’ (1892) is a scarce survivor and a beautiful and bewitching collectable.
Price The price has been listed in British Pounds.
Conversion rates as of 16/DEC/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Phone or visit the website to buy, Free UK shipping.
Category Antique & Vintage Clothes and Accessories
Date c.1850
Early Victorian Antiques Material Silk
Origin English
Item code as155a1400
Status Sold
£675.00 
$856.64 
€815.33 
$
€
Conversion rates as of 16/DEC/2024. Euro & Dollar prices will vary and should only be used as a guide.
Always confirm final price with dealer. Phone or visit the website to buy, Free UK shipping.
View all stock from
Doe And Hope
Private dealer, By appointment onlyThe Onion Barn, Shoe Cottage,
15 High Street, Blunham,
Bedfordshire, MK44 3NL.
MK44 3NL
Tel : 07729 213013
Non UK callers : +44 7729 213013
Get directions to Doe And Hope
You may also be interested in
Policeman's Helmet. DORSET Constabulary
Antique Boxed Silk Top Hat by Henry Heath, c.1917
French Felt Bowler Hat in Original Hat Box Blois
Vintage Grey Top Hat and Hat Box
A Good Straw Boater. good condition
A Fedora Hat in decent condition. 1950s
A Straw Boater with Band. Great Condition.
Flat Cap. Good condition.
Sale On. Vintage Christys Fedora Fine Fur Felt Hat
Antique Top Hat and Box P & C Habig Vienna
African Mokorotlo Hat
Antique Hat Box, English, Leather, Silk Top Hat
Websites for Antiques Dealers
Promote your stock and business
Read our testimonials
Read our testimonials