Four Winds Hat Item Number: 853/3 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A man’s very large elaborately decorated hat constructed in three tiers: 1) a 13 cm wide band of brown reindeer fur fits around the head lined with printed cotton broadcloth. This band is loosely covered by a band of red wool fabric appliqued with multi-coloured embroidered ribbon, braid, and rickrack. There is a narrow band of off-white fur at the bottom edge and twelve red, green, and yellow streamers (58 cm long) attached at the centre back; 2) above the fur, there is another band of multi-coloured ribbons, rickrack, and braid, 11 cm. wide; 3) this is surmounted by a 33 cm. band of dark blue wool fabric trimmed with multi-coloured ribbons and braid. The top is shaped into four points, (the "four-winds" hat).
History Of Use
These items of clothing are worn all the time, not just for special occasions. Men's hats differ from women's both in form and pattern, whereas there is less difference between the sexes in other items of Saami costume, such as the tunic or shoes. Women's hats are, generally speaking, smaller and more conservatively decorated than men's.
Narrative
Made by Inge Hermanson-Hatta for her son.
Iconographic Meaning
The four points at the top of the hat represent the four winds.
Item History
- Made in Kautokeino, Norway before 1972
- Collected during 1972
- Owned by Inge Hermanson-Hatta
- Owned by Miriam Clavir before February 10, 1982
- Received from Miriam Clavir (Donor) on February 10, 1982
What
- Name
- Four Winds Hat
- Identification Number
- 853/3
- Type of Item
- hat
- Material
- wool fibre, reindeer skin, cotton fibre and dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- cured, cut and sewn
- Overall
- height 64.0 cm, width 9.7 cm, depth 41.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Sami
- Previous Owner
- Inge Hermanson-Hatta and Miriam Clavir
- Received from
- Miriam Clavir (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Kautokeino, Norway
When
- Creation Date
- before 1972
- Collection Date
- during 1972
- Ownership Date
- before February 10, 1982
- Acquisition Date
- on February 10, 1982
Other
- Item Classes
- textiles
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0853/0003