Vintage 1940s-50s Black Wool Felt Hat Asymmetrical Winged 。This is an exceptional hat from the fashionable 1940s\'. The hat consists of a round, flat top circle made with corde at the top and sides, and felt on the bottom., There is a felt cap attached at the back plus an elastic band to help keep the hat in a tilted position. To add drama to the hat, there is a long strip of black veiling attached to the inside, which can be worn as a scarf at the front. Simply gorgeous! The embroidery known as “corde” (French for “rope”) was credited to inventor Antoine Bonnaz, born in 1836 (d. 1915) a small village in France. Mesmerized by machinery, he eventually became a mechanic in a silk factory. After seeing how difficult the work was for hand-embroiderers, he developed the first embroidery machine by improving upon the first sewing machine, which was invented by Barthélemy Thimonnier (1793-1857) in order to replicate hand-sewing. Patented in 1830, Thimonnier’s machines initially caused such a stir that many were destroyed by tailors who were afraid the machines would ruin their businesses. Corde hats were all the rage in the 30s\' & 40s\'. Label: NEW YORK CREATION - Genuine Corde Please keep in mind that you are buying a vintage hat, not new nor perfect! This is an authentic piece of fashion history! This hat is in wonderful vintage condition & has been lovingly preserved among over 1300 vintage hats we have collected for 40+ years. Feathers, straw, furs, flowers & veils are fragile, given their age. Mannequin not for sale.