Man’s Hat

Physical Description:

This type of hat (gat) was once the most commonly worn men’s headgear by Korean aristocratic government officials and commoners. In the mid-Joseon period, they had tall crowns and wide brims. When Heungseon Daewongun (興宣大院君, 1820–1898), the father of King Gojong (高宗, r. 1863– 1907) seized power in the late Joseon period, he made the wearing of shorter crowns with narrower brims mandatory. This hat is in good condition despite some losses at the crown. The straps are made of black silk gauze.

[Korean Collection, University of Michigan Museum of Art (2017) p. 282]

Usage Rights:

If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit https://umma.umich.edu/request-image/ for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.