Leather Chiefs Hat

This cylindrical cap, or hat, is made from leather tooled with geometric designs. The top of the hat is fur-covered, and a long tail of tooled leather is attached to the bottom; it was decorated with cowrie shells, and four horns. The style of the hat suggests it may be an early example of a Temne or Bullom chiefs hat, complete with charms, or amulets.

Further Information

• Type: Costume, dress, Regalia
• Object: Leather Chiefs Hat
• Materials: Bone, ivory, tooth, Leather, animal skin, Shell
• Culture Group: Sherbro, Temne
• Dimensions: 170mm [H] x 180mm [W] x 150mm [C]
• Production Date: Pre 1875
• Associated Places: Unknown
• Associated People: Augustus Wollaston Franks; J. E. Oakes
• Museum: British Museum
• Accession Number: BM:Af.9592

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