Four Winds Hat Item Number: 853/3 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Man’s hat. 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

Men's hats differ from women's both in form and pattern, whereas there is less difference between other items, such as tunics or shoes. Men's hats are, generally speaking, larger and more decorated than women's. The design of Sami costumes varies from one village to another, and costumes at Kautokeino were particularly elaborate at the time this item was collected (1972).

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

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
Creator
Inge Hermanson-Hatta (Maker)
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