- On View
- Taking the Stage Gallery
- Museum Maps
- Objects in this Location
- Exhibition
- Taking the Stage
- Designed by
- Norris, Patricia, American, 1931 - 2015
- Worn by
- Ejiofor, Chiwetel, British, born 1977
- Created by
- Western Costume Company, American, founded 1912
- Subject of
- Northup, Solomon, American, 1808 - 1875
- Date
- 2013
- Medium
- straw, cotton ribbon
- Dimensions
- H x W x D (On form): 8 × 15 1/2 × 15 in. (20.3 × 39.4 × 38.1 cm)
- Description
- This straw boater hat was worn by Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup in the film 12 Years a Slave (2013). The hat is made from braided straw sewn in concentric circles to form a wide round brim, tall crown, and crushed top. A hatband made from brown braided cotton ribbon is tied around the crown and knotted at the proper left side. Illegible text is handwritten in black ink on the interior center back crown.
- Classification
- Clothing - Costume
- Type
- boaters
- Topic
- Actors
- Clothing and dress
- Costume
- Costume design
- Design
- Film
- Men
- Slavery
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift from the Western Costume Company
- Object number
- 2015.158.2.1
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




