Candace, I'm wondering if it is some sort of vent? I've seen early grommet like hat inserts that advertised a method of keeping your head cool, and allowing your noggin to "breathe" so to speak. I've also seen a grommet with mesh placed in it for the same purpose. I like the plume idea though... Good luck, Dan Schoeneberg ________________________________ From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Candace Perry Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2010 10:53 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: question about a 19th century high hat/top hat I have encountered an odd silk high hat in our collection - we have many of these, I've seen many, and this one has stymied me. First of all, it's a very small head size. I have been blessed with a large and generally empty skull and it would just balance on the top of my head -. and not in a modish Isabella Blow-type style. Therefore, I'm assuming it's a small woman's or man's; maybe a young teenage male. It has the typical curled/curved brim, everything typical - however, it has a deliberately placed grommet or eyelet in the center of the top of the crown. Can anyone shed light on what this was for - I can't imagine one would stick a plume in there, which is what I'd like to believe, as that is kind of fun and wacky. I was thinking maybe it was a woman's riding hat, and veiling or netting was attached through the hole, but that seemed weird also. My dear volunteer wittily said it was a place for the soul to escape (we doing funerary and ghostly things at the moment) ... Any thoughts? Candace Perry Curator Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center Pennsburg, PA ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).