[BCMA] Information seeking - "Doll" hat

[Moderated BCMA subscriber listserv]

Good afternoon BCMA colleagues,

At Sidney Museum, as part of our ongoing collection management work, we
have come across an object that is giving us trouble.

The object is listed in our database as a 'Doll Hat' with the following
description:

*Small conical hat made from raffia in beige, light & dark brown. Has three
strings attached to the brim which have different types of shells strung
along their length. Found in the backyard of the donor's house.*

Unfortunately our donor files do not provide additional context, and as a
result our collection management committee isn't sure whether this object
is indeed intended as a children's toy/accessory, or if it was used for
more practical purposes.

This may be a long shot, but if anyone has similar looking items in their
collection, we would love to hear from you! Any contextual information
would be a big help.

Warmest regards,
Michael Goodchild
--
Michael Goodchild, BA, MMST.
Executive Director,
Sidney Museum & Archives
He/His

*Address*: 2423 Beacon Ave L-3, Sidney, BC V8L 1X5
<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sidney+Museum/@48.6487465,-123.3993606,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xb4d51ead688151b7?sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjdsI_Wmav4AhUtD0QIHRhkAVYQ_BJ6BAhCEAU>
*Tel*: 250-655-6355
*Mobile*: 1-403-585-7938
*Email*: director at sidneymuseum.ca
*Web*: https://sidneymuseum.ca/

*We respectfully acknowledge the Sidney Museum & Archives has been shaped
by the colonial history of Canada, and is located in Sidney/SETINES on the
traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ People, including the **BOḰEĆEN
(Pauquachin), SȾÁ,UTW̱ (Tsawout), MÁLEXEŁ (Malahat), W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip)
and W̱SÍḴEM (Tseycum) Firs*t Nations.* We understand that territory
acknowledgment is just one part of Reconciliation, and the museum continues
to work towards other ways that we can participate in Reconciliation
alongside Indigenous communities.*
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