1919 Chinese American Baby Bonnet

Description (Brief):

Mrs. Lee made this "dog head" bonnet for her only son, Peter. Chinese mothers traditionally dressed their one year old children in such bonnets to protect them from evil spirits. According to lore, if evil forces met the child they would pass by, thinking it were an animal, and of no value. Fur lines the bonnet's "dog's ears" and the padded wool of the hat lined Peter's head.

Date Made: 1919

Maker: Lee Ng Shee

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: United StatesWorn: United States: New York, Manhattan, Chinatown

Referenced: ImmigrationImmigrantsUsed: Chinese Americans

Subject:

See more items in: Home and Community Life: Costume, Family & Social Life, Cultures & Communities, Clothing & Accessories, Chinese American

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Related Web Publication: http://collections.si.edu/search/results.jsp?q=set_name:%22Lee+Chinese-American+Family+Papers%2C+ca.+1915-1970%22

Related Publication: Mead, Virginia Lee. Lee Chinese -American Family Papers, ca. 1915-1970

Credit Line: Gift of James Edgar Mead and Virginia Lee Mead

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1992.0620.07Catalog Number: 1992.0620.07Accession Number: 1992.0620

Object Name: bonnet, babyObject Type: BonnetBoyHeadwear

Physical Description: silk (overall material)wool (overall material)fur (overall material)Measurements: overall: 17 13/16 in x 11 in x 6 1/2 in; 45.24375 cm x 27.94 cm x 16.51 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-9e01-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1119952

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