A Fine Beaver Sombrero

Old Saltillo Road

  This dress sombrero was worn by Mexican elites, aristocrats, hacendados, as well as caballeros, and other pure bred Spanish Creoles in Mexico.  It is made of beaver pelt and is silky soft.  It glows in daylight.  The earliest image of a Mexican wearing this style hat we've discovered is a lithograph entitled "CABALLEROS,"  which was published in 1863.  It was a popular hat, worn for some decades both by Mexicans and by Americans in the Southwest through the last quarter of the 19th century.

As with many surviving antique hats embellished by the Mexicans to show status, this sombrero probably was made in England.

$2,500.00

Artwork details