Hat by Chandra and hatbox belonging to Etta Moten Barnett: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

This is a white hat (.1) studded with rhinestones and its accompanying hatbox (.2a) with lid (.2b). The hat is composed of a white woven straw-like material in a cloche style. The surface of the hat is studded with clear rhinestones at regular intervals. There is a small red grosgrain ribbon bow on the front brim. On the inside of the hat is a white fabric tag sewn to the back of the red grosgrain sweatband. On the tag is black text that reads “CHANDRA.” The hatbox (.2a) is a circular cardboard box with a light brown exterior and a red interior. It has a red cord to fasten down the lid threaded into the body of the box to create a second loop as a carrying handle. The lid (.2b) has a light brown top with a black rim and gold text across the top that reads “CHANDRA inc. / 6 W 57th STREET – NEW YORK.”

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1980-2004
• Designed by: Chandra Inc., American
• Owned by: Etta Moten Barnett, American, 1901 - 2004
• Type: cloches
• Type: hatboxes
• Medium: .1: polyester with plastic and ribbon
• Medium: .2ab: cardboard with cord (fiber product)
• Dimensions: H x W x D (.1): 5 1/2 × 9 3/16 × 9 3/16 in. (14 × 23.3 × 23.3 cm)
• Dimensions: H x W x D (.2ab): 6 15/16 × 13 × 13 in. (17.7 × 33 × 33 cm)
• Place purchased: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
• Place used: Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Activism
• Topic: Actors
• Topic: Broadway Theatre
• Topic: Clothing and dress
• Topic: Fashion
• Topic: Millinery
• Topic: Singers (Musicians)
• Object number: A2022.13.1.31.1-.2ab
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: Unknown – Restrictions Possible Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.