It's not an answer based in concrete facts, but I have little dolls my grandparents brought back from Czechoslovakia when they visited relatives many years ago. The dolls are wearing native garb, the boy doll wears a fez-looking hat. I would look into Wayne's suggestion of the influence of "visiting" cultures. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Samantha R.P. Ellis, Research Associate Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Foundation 2800 Grove Avenue, Richmond, VA 23221-2466 [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> (804)367-0805 -----Original Message----- From: W Hart [SMTP:[log in to unmask]] <mailto:[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]> Sent: Friday, March 12, 1999 12:13 AM Subject: Re: the fez thing The fez was the headgear worn by troops recruited from Bosnia-Herzegovina during W.W.I. This was a result of the Ottoman Turks and their influence in the region during their brutal and barbaric suppression of the Orthodox Christians for over 400 years. The fez became a popular piece of headgear in many Mediterranean countries. The fez is also to be seen in the uniforms of many of the Fascist armies during the middle of this century. Wayne Hart, Executive Director Museum of Valor "What is Past is Prologue"