- Designed by
- Whistler, Vera, American
- Manufactured by
- Julius Lewis, American, founded 1900
- Owned by
- Barnett, Etta Moten, American, 1901 - 2004
- Date
- ca.1965
- Medium
- .1) cloth with thread and beads
- .2ab) cardboard with cord (fiber product)
- Dimensions
- H x W (.1): 5 7/16 × 24 7/16 in. (13.8 × 62 cm)
- H x W (.2a): 18 × 32 1/2 in. (45.7 × 82.6 cm)
- Diameter (.2b): 33 in. (83.8 cm)
- Description
- This is a Vera Whistler hat and hatbox with accompanying lid. The hat (.1) is made of a light silky fabric in a cloche style with a rolled brim. The fabric has a large paisley pattern in dark blues and greens with pink accents against a yellow background. There are pink, yellow and dark blue beads sewed at intervals around the hat. On the inside of the hat is a white Vera Whistler label sewn to the inside of the sweatband. The hatbox (.2a) is a circular cardboard box with vertical stripes along its sides in alternating shades of cream. There is handwritten text in black ink that reads “BEADED CLOCHE” along the side. It has a cream-colored cord to fasten down the lid threaded into the body of the box to create a second loop as a carrying handle. The box lid (.2b) is a shallow circle in white with a cream edge. On the top surface is pale pink cursive writing that reads “VERA / WHISTLER / ORIGINALS / JULIUS LEWIS / MEMPHIS.”
- Place purchased
- Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, North and Central America
- Place used
- Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
- Collection title
- Etta Moten Barnett Archive
- Classification
- Clothing - Fashion and Historical
- Topic
- Activism
- Actors
- Broadway Theatre
- Clothing and dress
- Fashion
- Fashion design
- Millinery
- Singers (Musicians)
- Women
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- A2022.13.1.7.1-.2ab
- Restrictions & Rights
- Unknown – Restrictions Possible
- Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




