SPOON BONNET Reproduction 1860 Civil War Victorian Royal Purple Handmade

Description

Hand made 1860's style Spoon Bonnet with optional lace edged veil. The bonnet could be used for the last stages of mourning or just used as your "best or Sunday" bonnet. Purple, lavender and gray were worn in the last stages of mourning.
The bonnet is covered in  royal purple 100% silk brocade. The interior of the brim is lined with white 100% cotton
ruching and decorated with fabric pansies in shades of lavender and purple. . Pansies are symbolic of "remembrance."
The face edge is framed with narrow white ruffled lace with a picot edge. The exterior is  un-decorated with the exception of loops of ribbon  attached to the ties. The bavolet is made of low luster 6" white 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
.
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 26 1/2" around the crown. and is 8" 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.