Bonnet

Object number2008.118.2

Date1880-1889

Mediumsynthetics; chiffon; silk

Credit LineGift of William Collins King

DescriptionBonnet with beige synthetic thread on outer top. Black and white chiffon wrapped around brim to large flower-like decoration on backside; wire used to shape decoration. Underside is also lined with dual-chiffon. Black silk ribbon for tying under chin attached to both sides.Dimensions4.25 x 10.125 x 9 in. (10.8 x 25.7 x 22.9 cm)
Historical NotesBonnet used by Ottilie Sorg Reinecke, the maternal grandmother of donor William Collins King's wife. (Her wedding dress is 2000.63.3.) In 1887, Ottilie Sorg married Dr. Herman Reinecke, who obtained his dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania. The couple lived on the South Side and were friends with the famed Brashear family. Herman's father, John Philip, emigrated from Westphalia, Prussia, Germany to Pittsburgh and founded a company to manufacture and provide Towne Gas to Pittsburghers. Towne Gas featured a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, derived from treating burning coal with water under controlled conditions; it was used for lighting Coleman lanterns in houses but became obsolete when natural gas was discovered in the area.

Previous owner Ottilie Sorg Reinecke (German, 1863 - 1933)

Related person Dr. Herman Reinecke

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