Early 20th c Art Deco Milliner’s Hat-Form on Stand
CHF 165
An early‑20th‑century wooden hat block — an original Art Deco milliner’s model — mounted on a later turned wooden stand. This block carries the faint patina of countless fittings and softening steam sessions, authentic traces of the bespoke blocking process: the moment when flat felt or straw is shaped around the mold and steamed to hold its form.
Hat‑block making was once a highly skilled, often family-run craft. In millinery ateliers, each block design was treated as intellectual property and closely guarded. Block makers crafted precise models that lent form and finesse to fine handmade hats—many of which adorned society ladies during the glamorous Art Deco era.
This house-shaped block brings a tangible piece of hat‑making heritage into interiors: a sculptural artifact that celebrates a disappearing craft—and carries stories of once-secret patterns, careful steam sessions, and hand‑fashioned style.
Origin:
Likely Western Europe, early 20th century
Artist / Attribution:
Workshop-made by a professional milliner — unsigned
Year / Period:
Circa 1920s–30s, Art Deco era
Materials:
Solid carved wood block mounted on a turned wooden base
Features:
Used by milliners to shape bespoke hats by hand
A silent witness to a lost artisan practice, with blocks often closely guarded
A coveted object for fashion‑history collectors and vintage‑living interiors
Marks / Signatures:
No visible maker’s marks (common for secret workshop tools)
Condition:
Good vintage condition — surface patina and signs of use add character without compromise
Measurements:
Hat form: approx. 38 cm (W) × 18 cm (D)
Total height including stand: approx. 40 cm
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