Prestige hat

20th century

Proper dress requires a hat in the kingdoms of the Cameroon Grassfields. A palace ceremony would most certainly require a hat to reveal the bearer's rank. Large knit knobs are symbolic of a chief or king who has dominion over many individuals, palm trees, and other properties. Two tassels at the back indicate that the owner is a married man.

Cotton and feathers

15 1/8 x 14 x 12 7/8 in. (38.4 x 35.6 x 32.7 cm)

Gift of Katherine White and the Boeing Company

81.17.755

Photo: Paul Macapia

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, African Panoplies: Art for Rulers, Traders, Hunters, and Priests, Apr. 21 - Aug. 14, 1988.

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Indigo, May 9, 2003 - October 19, 2003

Published ReferencesKreamer, Christine Mullen, A Tribute to Roy Sieber, Part 1, in African Arts, Vol. 36, No. 1, Memorial to Roy Sieber, Part 1 (Spring 2003), pp. 12-23, 91; p. 20, fig.16

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