RARE FRENCH SEAMAN'S HAT

RARE FRENCH SEAMAN'S HAT 

Formed from boiled cardboard and bathed in tar to make it waterproof, this is a very rare exemple from French maritime history.

The hat has a tin tricolour cockade to the left side and a fouled anchor insignia to the front.  There is some sign of a lining having been present (now missing).  In very good condition and retaining it's original shape.  There does not appear to be any sign of any other insignia ever having been fitted.  A very rare survivor from the mid 19th century.  

Very few have survived given the nature of the material and the conditions of service.  

The use of hats made from boiled cardboard and coated in tar for waterproofing would likely have been most common during the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly during the Age of Sail when wooden ships dominated maritime trade and warfare. This period roughly spans from the late 16th century to the mid-19th century.  The Seaman's Hat is a distinctive type of headwear associated with French sailors, particularly during historic periods when practicality and durability were paramount at sea. 

Material: Boiled cardboard was a common material used in the construction of hats and headwear before modern synthetic materials became widespread. Boiling cardboard helps make it more pliable and able to hold its shape when moulded. However, cardboard alone wouldn't be suitable for use at sea due to its lack of waterproofing properties.

Waterproofing: To make the hat waterproof, it was coated or soaked in tar. Tar is a thick, viscous substance derived from the distillation of organic materials such as wood or coal. It has long been used in maritime contexts for waterproofing and preserving wooden ships, ropes, and other equipment. Coating the hat in tar would make it resistant to water, protecting the wearer's head from rain, sea spray, and other moisture encountered while at sea.

Hats have long been a part of maritime tradition, serving both functional and symbolic purposes. The French seaman's hat, with its distinctive materials and design, would have been a recognisable symbol of a sailor's profession and a testament to their resilience and resourcefulness in the face of challenging conditions at sea.

Overall, the "Rare French Seaman's Hat" represents a blend of practicality, craftsmanship, and maritime tradition, embodying the unique challenges and culture of seafaring life.

Front to back interior measurement 20cm.