19th Century Antique Gold Silver Metallic Embroidered German Riegelhaube Bonnet
This antique gold and silver metallic embroidered German Riegelhaube bonnet cap dates from the early 19th century. It is all hand stitched and made of a rigid rag cardboard basis with a gold foil fabric covering, encrusted over with silver spiral metal foil embroidery. There are metallic threads done in a raised padded stitch embroidery couching work spiraling scrolling floral designs. The inside is lined in a pink and gold print silk fabric and white lace trim edging. This early Riegelhaube or Latch Plate Hood was the traditional folk costume headdress worn by the women of Munich, the Bavarian region in Germany from 1755 through about 1850. It is said that silver was for unmarried girls and this would have been worn on the back of the head and secured with hat pins. These caps took 200-300 working hours to create, at the price of several monthly wages! This beautiful bonnet measures 10 inches in circumference. It is in excellent condition, with only minor wear. This is a truly a rare and wonderful piece of early German textile folk art!

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