Salakot (traditional hat of the Philippines)

The salakot is a traditional, wide-brimmed hat worn in the Philippines. They were made with many different materials and worn by all classes. This example is woven from rattan, bamboo, and nito vines, and decorated with a silver spike and mounts. The custom of decorating the salakot with gold and silver pieces, or luxury materials like tortoiseshell, developed during the later part of Spanish colonial period (1565–1898). In the 19th century, affluent and influential men wore this type of salakot, with precious materials and rich decoration, as a status symbol.

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