From the estate of Edwina Wright
Material Primary: Densely layered natural plumes (possibly pheasant)
Base: Minimal buckram or wire frame; Lining: Grosgrain ribbon or silk.
Style Headdress or a highly stylized Turban/Toque band. The construction is a deep band of feathers encircling the head with an open crown,
designed to be worn over the elaborate, high-dressed hairstyles of the period. The feathers are the primary structural and decorative element.
Description A dramatic women’s accessory that symbolizes the return to luxury fashion immediately following World War II. The hat is a deep band constructed almost entirely of masses of natural feathers arranged to create a high, textured profile. The open crown design allows the wearer’s hair to serve as part of the overall look. This style was highly favored during the post-war period for formal evening or afternoon wear.
Provenance Note This piece is a clear artifact of the fashion transition of the late 1940s, contrasting sharply with the utility styles of the war and the clean pillboxes of the subsequent decade.