Chinese Embroidered Silk Child’s Tiger-Head Hat with Neck Cape, Yarn Pompoms & Bell

Description

Overview

This is a Chinese child’s tiger-head hat, known as hutoumao, made in the hooded form with a long protective neck cape. Hats like this were traditionally made for young children, especially boys, and worn at New Year and other festivals. The fierce tiger face was believed to frighten away evil spirits and give the child the tiger’s strength. The hat is likely mid-20th century and consistent with rural Chinese folk production, possibly from Southwest China. It comes from the Craft World Tours Collection, assembled over four decades by Tom and Sherry Wilson.

Design & Craftsmanship

Function & Form: A child-sized hood with a sculpted tiger face at the front and a long cape covering the back of the neck. Black fabric ties hang at each side. It measures about 14″ long x 9.5″ wide laid flat and weighs 4 oz.

Artistry & Ornamentation:

• The turquoise silk face has spiral brow and cheek scrolls in couched metallic thread over white silk.
• The eyes are padded black, ringed in silver. The pink nose has a satin-stitch rosette and padded nostrils, and the padded rosette mouth carries thread whiskers.
• Upright ears are backed in orange silk edged with silver trim, with a padded red satin knot at the base. A small topknot and frayed multicolor silk fringe frame the face.
• Green applique panels form the tiger’s legs along each side, ending in white embroidered paws.
• Pink, yellow, teal and purple wool-yarn pompoms hang on beaded cords.
• The orange-red satin cape has an embroidered center-back patch. It is bound in woven blue and pink ribbon trim with a black outer band, and a small metal bell hangs at the lower back.

Structural Base: Lined in olive-green handwoven striped cotton. A round paper label with Chinese characters and a red emblem is attached inside. It is possibly a factory or inspection label, which would be consistent with mid-20th-century production.

Condition Report

Surface Condition:

• Fraying and some loss to the silk fringe, especially at the ears and edges.
• Loose, tangled whisker threads and slightly matted pompoms.
• Light soiling and a few small marks on the satin cape.
• Loose stray threads in the lining.
• Colors remain strong overall.

Structural Integrity: One ear is coming loose along its edge, and its orange silk backing has a small split. This is visible in the gallery and would benefit from a simple stitch repair. The face, padded features, cape, ties and bell otherwise appear intact and stable. This item is sold “as-is” with all associated patina and wear inherent to its age and history as part of the Craft World Tours Collection.