Leather cap | Photographer: Oleg Kuchar | Rights management: Museum Ulm
Attribution - NonCommercial - ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalLeather cap | Photographer: Oleg Kuchar | Rights management: Museum Ulm
Attribution - NonCommercial - ShareAlike 4.0 InternationalConical cap made up of four triangular or wedge-shaped sides (gussets). The cap is made of white leather, printed with brown ornaments and has a turn-up on the edge. The cap can be folded flat. Acquired by the Gewerbemuseum in 1914 from the so-called Huder (items from the estates of deceased Hospitallers or people who had been in the care of the poor) from the municipal welfare office. There is no indication of the object's origin in the inventory book. In 1929, the cap was identified as "Balkan labour". However, this assumption has not yet been confirmed. The cap is more similar to the headgear known from Central Asia. It is reminiscent of the Kyrgyz "kalpak", which is made by sewing four wedges together. It is usually made up of four triangles, is often conical in shape and has a brim. Another typical feature is that the kalpak can be folded flat when it is not being worn. The kalpak comes in different shapes and variations and was also worn in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkey. However, the material used for the kalpak is predominantly felt or fur. In addition to fabric, these are also common materials for other types of cap in Central Asia. Leather is atypical, which makes it difficult to clearly categorise this cap.