Fall hat
Rembrandt Harmensz von Rijn (1606–1669): Two women teach a child to walk . Chalk on paper, around 1640; British Museum, London
The fall hat was a childcare prop used from the 16th to the end of the 19th century to protect children.
Form and function
A drop hat consisted of a bead-like wreath made of fabric or fur that could be pressed around the child's forehead and tied under the chin. At times it was capped which gave it a helmet-like appearance.
The drop hat was supposed to protect the forehead of the children as long as they were walking around with their heads in the danger area of table edges or doorknobs; Together with the lead belt , this equipment for small children who could already walk was suitable for leaving them to their own devices in a manageable area and relieved mothers, wet nurses and governesses .
literature
- Ingeborg Weber – Kellermann: Childhood. A cultural story. Insel Published by Frankfurt am Main 1979; Pp. 34-37
Web links
Commons : Falling caps - collection of images, videos and audio files
