Object Details
maker
Lee Ng Shee
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.
Credit Line
Gift of James Edgar Mead and Virginia Lee Mead
date made
1919
ID Number
1992.0620.07
catalog number
1992.0620.07
accession number
1992.0620
Object Name
bonnet, baby
Object Type
Bonnet
Boy
Headwear
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
place made
United States
worn
United States: New York, Manhattan, Chinatown
Related Publication
Mead, Virginia Lee. Lee Chinese -American Family Papers, ca. 1915-1970
Related Web Publication
https://sova.si.edu/record/nmah.ac.0555
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Costume
Family & Social Life
Cultures & Communities
Clothing & Accessories
Chinese American
Data Source
National Museum of American History
referenced
Immigration
Immigrants
used
Chinese Americans
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_1119952