Reproduction 1860 Civil War Victorian Gold Brocade Handmade SPOON BONNET & Veil

Description

Hand made 1860's style Spoon Bonnet with optional lace edged veil.
The bonnet is covered in rich gold floral patterned brocade. The interior of the brim is lined with white 100% cotton
ruching
. The face edge is framed with narrow white ruffled lace with a floral design and a picot edge. The exterior is decorated simply with a band of luxurious Swiss double faced satin ribbon which continues for the length of the ties. The bavolet is made of low luster 5" floral lace with a scalloped edge.
The bonnet has as been completely hand stitched, with the exception of the basting stitches of the interior ruching.
The brim of the bonnet has a wire inside which can be gently shaped to be taller or rounder or into the heart shaped Marie Stuart style. Shape the bonnet to
flatter your individual face shape
.
Wearing the veil is optional. The short veil is beige silk crepe edged with
vintage
cotton lace with a floral design. It is a 22" circle. Typically the veil was pinned to the top of the bonnet with a small straight pins. It can be worn over the face, as shown. Or it can be flipped over the back of the bonnet.
The veil protected a lady from unwanted attention and kept her bonnet a bit cleaner, especially when traveling. (Much easier to clean the veil of dust and soot than to clean the bonnet.)
The bonnet is designed to sit toward the back of the head, as shown on the model. One size fit's most women. It measures 24 1/2" around the crown. and is 7 1/2" deep from the center of the crown to the back.
The spoon bonnet was introduced in the early 1860's and was one of the most popular women's hats during the Civil War period (1860-65) The 1860 high brim spoon bonnet has a high top that rose straight up from the crown, giving it the shape of a spoon. It was made with short sides which finish at the bottom with a narrow strap where the decorative ribbon ties can be attached to hold the bonnet firmly on the head. The back of the bonnet is cut high to accommodate a decorative bavolet or curtain. The bonnet provided little protection from the sun (hence the necessity of a parasol), but allowed for elaborate decoration inside and outside the tall brim. Examples show ruffle, lace bows, silk flowers and feathers to frame the wearer's face. The spoon bonnet was worn by more prosperous women and young ladies who wanted to wear the "latest fashion."
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, I am a retired Civil War reenactor/sutler and have been making bonnets for almost 40 years.
Thanks for looking and Happy eBaying.