Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Samaritan Hat
ca. 1900
Maker not marked
USA (probably)
Cotton, silk, wool, linen, paper pulp, metal, ink
overall: 12"h (fringe to top) x 9"w x 10"d
Museum Purchase
2016.046.2

Masonic Samaritan Hat. EXTERIOR: Cotton velvet hat has turban shape, with six gathered "pouches" around brim and ear flaps hanging from either side. Dome of hat and three pouches are covered in grey-green velvet, and the other three pouches are covered in maroon velvet. Pouches, which are filled with raw wool, have twisted shape and are gathered at either end. Ear flaps, which hang to a length of 9-1/2", are of yellow velvet trimmed along the back edge with blue-and-green mottled fringe (likely silk); their front sides are cut straight and their back sides, curved; they feature three pleats where they join brim of hat. INTERIOR: Lining of light blue linen features white rectangular label at top center bearing the blue printed text, "Samaritan". Lining fabric is pleated around central circle of flat fabric. Brim is trimmed with dark brown strip of artificial leather (likely paper pulp or cellulose on cotton) which is covered with a strip of reddish brown waxed cotton (possibly). A short length of silver-colored metal wire is visible along bottom edge, where it has protruded from velvet covering.