Date if you have time, please

[nickgc]

I find this photo interesting in that the hat is being held rather than worn, and it appears the bun is made to be just about a perfect fit for the crown of the hat.  Was this normally done?

The person who owns this photo was told by a nearly hundred year old relative of ours that it is a woman who died at age 22 in 1914 (i.e. before informant was born).  To me a looks older than that year/age would indicate, but I know little about dating from hat and clothing fashions - although I tried.

Nick

[chinakay]

Hi Nick!

Could we see the whole thing uncropped please, and also the back?

I would have said 1870s

Cheers,
China

[AJ100]

I'd have said 1880's but either way it certainly isn't the lady who died in 1914.

Regards

AJ

[jim1]

Agree with China 1870's.
Hard to say which part without seeing all of it.
Bonnets were made to fit over or around the chignon although this one is quite modest for the time.
I think the reason for removing it is that it would have been placed over her forehead & cast a shadow over her face.

jim

[nickgc]

Thanks all - late 1870s to early 1880s conforms well with what my uneducated guess was.  Unfortunately,  the person who has the photo just sent scan to me on Saturday and will be incommunicado for two weeks.  I'll check then whether she has a the full photo - I think that some she sent were just photographed with her phone cam from family albums.  The good thing about connecting with her is that she has some outstanding old photos of family that I had never seen (including a 2 x great grandfather of mine that she isn't related to.)

Nick