FIVE TRADITIONAL IRANIAN HATS
Iran, 18th and 19th centuries

Comprising a Darvish hat, of rounded conical shape, made of felted ivory wool in one seamless piece, worked in black wool thread with four symmetrical arches with the phrase 'Ali is the Guardian of Allah in Persian nasta’liq script, 23cm x 26.5cm flattened; another similar but smaller, the fields plain, the edges worked in black wool with geometric patterns; a conical hat of finely quilted, joined ivory wool, worked in coloured wools in Kirman pateh stitch with alternating buti in four symmetrical sections, lined in joined kalamkari striped cotton in blue and red, 27cm x 26cm flattened; a conical hat of red wool, cord-padded and stitched in parallel sections, overlaid with four stylised cypress trees in gilt thread, edged with gilt tape, lined in pale blue cotton, 21cm x 25cm flattened; and lastly, a crochet cap of ivory and grey silks, knitted in the round with stylised geometric and animal motifs, orange and lavender highlights, 19cm diam. and 13.3cm high.