From 700AD until 1797 the Italian city-state of Venice was ruled over by the chief magistrate known as the Doge. The Doge was chosen by a committee formed of members of the leading aristocratic families of Venice and held the office for life.
This hat is an example of the 'corno ducale', a ceremonial crown which was worn by the Doge over a cap of fine linen known as a camauro. These caps were hand-made by the nuns of the Convent of San Zaccaria and a new cap was presented to the Doge every Easter Monday, following a procession from San Marco to the convent.Gold coloured silk and metal thread brocade, crown of hat curves up into a smooth vertical protrusion at the back. The hat is trimmed with metal braiding, applied flat around the edges and is curled to form a roll of braid which snakes over the centre of the hat from the centre front to the centre back.