Can you help me date this?

[SouthernByMarriage]

I bought an original crocheted bonnet/cap and don't know much about it. I know that I have seen CDV's of ladies wearing headwear like this, but can't remember if they were CW era or later.
I thought I would replicate it and wear it to the colder reenactments, but then I figured I better make sure it is from the proper era.
I don't even know whether to call it a cap or bonnet or????
Here is the link to the photo:

https://www.pixagogo.com/SouthernByMarriage

In the photo, the bonnet shows up brown, but is really black with black silk ribbons.
If it is appropriate, could I make it in a color other than black, perhaps brown?
Kathryn Coombs was kind enough to look at it and thought it was of the proper time period.
Any other comments????
Thank you,
DeAnn Upton

[Augusta Carr]

Re: Can you help me date this?

Looks like a crocheted fascinator I purchased from once Upon a Pattern which is just shown as circa mid 1800. The web address if you would like to check is www.onceuponapattern.com.

I hope this helps.

[SouthernByMarriage]

Re: Can you help me date this?

Hi Barbara,
Yes, I did see the pattern there. I have bought several patterns from there, although not that one.
I'm sure it's the same type of bonnet.
There is no history on the site though.
If I no one here can help, I'll email them and ask.
I can make up my own pattern, so I don't want to purchase one.
I guess I really want some documented history on it. It would make me feel a whole lot better about wearing it.
I usually look in Godeys or Petersons, or for pictures of similar items, but haven't found any yet.
Just thought someone might be able to give me some good concrete evidence.
Thanks,
DeAnn Upton

[Spinster]

Re: Can you help me date this?

While the picure is a bit dim on my computer, I do have a similar item in my collection. I purchased it some years ago in the very early days of Ebay, with the only provenance being "it was in a trunk with some other clothing and Civil War letters" in Delaware.

In my case, the hood is chocolate brown in a wool weight slightly larger than modern sport weight, but not so heavy as to be a true worsted, with the interior being a harvest gold, It is so thickly crocheted that the gold color does not show through. The ribbon on the curtain is faded to an olive green, and the neck ties are missing. The back crown has an X shaped motif that is rather ornate.

Interweave Press has a series of hardcover reprints of Weldon's Practical Needlework, an English needlework series sold in this country after the war, up until the turn of the century. While the patterns are undated, the common wisdom says these particular patterns were not in use here until post 1870. There are several hoods pictured in that series that look very much like these hoods, including one that has an X-shaped motif in the crown.

Many patterns appeared over and over in period magazines, with small tweaks and a change in author's name. I've seen a similar shape documented, with decorative ribbon inserts on the sides of the head. One seemingly knowledgable person has told me that my hood was certainly pre-war, but I don't know how good her credentials were. I haven't suceeded in documenting my own hood---based on its condition and vague background, I believe it to be far more likely to be an 1870-1880 item.

You mileage may vary. But do tell if you come up with more definitive information--I'd really like to to handspin, dye and reproduce my hood for my own head. It is somewhat more becoming that the hood I made from the directions in the Citizen's Companion last year--which looked like I was wearing a possum on my head :confused_

[SouthernByMarriage]

Re: Can you help me date this?

Mrs. Lawson,
What you said made me think about positioning of ribbons.
While this hood may indeed have been worn, perhaps placement of ribbons would help with dating.
Ribbon at top of head---post war????
Ribbons at side of head---more appropriate???
DeAnn Upton

[Spinster]

Re: Can you help me date this?

My hood has no ribbon at the top of the head--its only ribbon is at the top of the curtain in center back, below the X in a circle motif on the back of the head.

And, I wasn't very clear when I talked about the gold interior--the interior is a very dense single crochet stitch done in a wool that is the same color as 1960's harvest gold kitchen appliances.

As to the fashion applicability of the ribbons, I'm clueless on that one. I'm still amazed at the gold yarn holding the color without any signs of oxidation.