French Silk Collapsible Top Hat

Beautiful and rare silk collapsible top hat by Gilles Desages of Montluçon, France.  Also referred to as an Opera hat, its believed to date from the late 19th or early 20th Century. Has a gilded stamped inside that reads Desages, Montluçon. Chapelier du Monde Elegant (Hatter to the Stylish Society) and applied gilt letters of A & L, which we assume would have been the owners initials.

In excellent condition with only very minor signs of age and use, the mechanism is fully working, so could easily be worn to the Opera again.  It's a fairly small size (around 56cm).

Full hat measures: 30cm (12") front to back x 25cm (10") wide x 15cm (6") tall

Internal measurements are: 18.5cm (7.25") front to back x 15.5cm (6.25") wide

UK DELIVERY OF THIS ITEM: Insured postal delivery of this item will be £15.