Hat

This hat is believed to have originated in Tuvalu on the basis of the distinctive yellow and red woven material from which is made. This colour combination has been found in other well-documented examples of weaving from the region.

Materials
The hat has a narrow brim and is made from pieces of yellow and red patterned pandanus mat, machine sewn. The band is of separate red-dyed fibre, machine sewn to the body of the hat. Four plaited red cords from the centre of the front, back, and sides meet in a small pompom on the centre of the crown. There is a pearl shell star or cross ornament in the centre front.

Significance
This hat is an example of how Pacific peoples have used local materials to make introduced forms of clothing. It is related to a dress and jacket in the collections that have been made in a similar way from the same materials. Items such as this hat are a reminder that Pacific peoples often responded creatively to and actively appropriated new material culture and ideas.