A CEREMONIAL SINDHI TOPI Province of Sindh, Pakistan, late Raj, 19th Century Of cylindrical proportions, the emerald green silk velvet, mounted on cardboard, heavily worked in zardozi in a variety of metal threads and spangles, in a number of different embroidery stitches with an elaborate design of radiating flowers and butis, highlighted in coloured silk boucle and French knot stitches, the top lined in puce silk, the drum wadding and lining missing, possibly a commission by an important ruling family such as the Thalpurs of Hyderabad (ruled c.1780-1843), 29cm diameter of top, 15cm high and 18.5cm diameter of drum. For a similar piece, please see figure 40 in Rosemary Crill, Hats from India, V&A Museum, 1985.