Rare French Sailor Hat

Rare French Sailor Hat Formed from boiled cardboard and dipped in tar to make it waterproof, this is a very rare example of French maritime history. The hat is adorned with a tricolor pewter cockade on the left side and a clasped anchor badge on the front. Traces of what appears to have been a (now missing) liner can be seen. In very good condition and retaining its original shape. There does not appear to be any sign that any other badge was ever affixed. A very rare survivor from the mid 19th century. Very few have survived given the nature of the material and service conditions. The use of boiled, tar-coated cardboard hats for waterproofing was probably most common during the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly during the Age of Sail, when wooden ships dominated maritime trade and warfare . This period extends approximately from the end of the 16th century to the middle of the 19th century. The sailor's hat is a distinctive type of headdress associated with French sailors, particularly during historical periods when practicality and durability were paramount at sea. Material: Boiled cardboard was a commonly used material in the construction of hats and headdresses before modern synthetic materials became widespread. Boiling the cardboard helps make it more flexible and able to hold its shape when molded. However, cardboard alone would not be suitable for use at sea due to its lack of waterproof properties. Waterproofing: To make the hat waterproof, it was coated or dipped 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 with tar would make it water resistant, protecting the wearer's head from rain, sea spray, and any other moisture encountered at sea. Hats have long been part of maritime tradition, serving as both functional and symbolic purposes. The French sailor's hat, with its distinctive materials and design, would have been a recognizable symbol of the seafaring profession and a testament to their resilience and ingenuity in the face of harsh conditions at sea. Overall, the hat represents a blend of practicality, craftsmanship and maritime tradition, embodying the unique challenges and culture of life at sea. Interior measurement from front to back: 20 cm.