Cap
Not unlike the stylish bicycle helmets worn by today's children, this is a beautifully made example of protective headwear worn by children in the early 19th century. Known as bumpers or pudding caps (for their resemblance to the shape of pudding or pudding bowls) these padded helmets were commonly worn by small children learning to walk to protect their heads from any falls. A linen or muslin cap was worn underneath. The quality of materials and craftsmanship used in this particular example suggests that this cap was owned by an affluent family.
Artwork Details
- Title: Cap
- Date: first quarter 19th century
- Culture: American
- Medium: leather, silk
- Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Museum Collection Fund, 1952
- Object Number: 2009.300.1453
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Mme. Grapanche
1884–86
American
1860–65
American
ca. 1835
Samuel O. Aborn
ca. 1840
American
1835
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.