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A baby bonnet decorated with beads in blue and brown.
20th century
Object Name: Baby bonnate
Period: 20th century
Date: 1900-1999
Provenance: Qatar
Dimensions: 15.5cmx13.7cm,weight:30g
Medium: textile,cotton,synthetic,glass
Registration Number: QNM.2012.1104.1
Place Of Discovery/Findspot:  Qatar
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Cream coloured baby's bonnet with beaded decoration around brim. The bonnet is hand stitched in second hand synthetic satin that may have once been a pink colour but has faded to cream. The stitching thread is pink. The fabric has slightly raised floral embroidery on it. The bonnet is fully lined with a cream plain weave cottom fabric. It is decorated around the brim and the crown of the bonnet with a cream coloured rayon ribbon by sticthing that runs through the middle of the ribbon to create a double frill. The ends of the ribbon extend beyond the edge of the bonnet to create two ties. The back of the bonnet is tucked and gathered to create fullness. A fringe of glass and semi precious stones cornelian are also attached to the brim of the bonnet. A blue silk tassel is knotted onto one of the ties. There is one small repair to damage on the top of the bonnet.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT QATAR
The Qatar Peninsula is surrounded by sea except in the south where it connects with its neighbours from the Arabian Peninsula. For hundreds of years people have shared the land, resources and knowledge inherited from their environment. With no fixed lifestyle in terms of time and place, people moved easily and freely between land and sea for trade, livestock, pearl diving, fishing, and hunting at various times throughout the year. This symbiotic relationship between the people and their environment was represented in the unity of their societies, including the exchange of knowledge, stories and the trading of available goods.

A distinctive characteristic of life on the Qatar Peninsula has long been the close association between the coast and the desert – al barr. Some desert tribes spent several months of the year in coastal cities, setting up semi-permanent residences to participate in pearl diving or fishing. Similarly, coastal residents occasionally moved to al barr during the winter to graze their livestock. This exchange of natural resources and the influence of different environments has contributed to the creation of a unique community.
HISTORICAL CONTEXT - REGION/GULF/WORLD
The presence of British, French and Dutch trading companies in the Gulf from the early 1600s brought uncertainty to the region, with unstable alliances and intense competition over trade routes. As trade flourished, however, the strength of the Arab tribes increased. Many Arab tribes moved from the interior of the Arabian Peninsula to Qatar, and by the 18th and 19th centuries, most of the major towns of the Gulf were founded. Several towns flourished on the Qatari coast, including Huwailah, Khor Hassan, Fuwairat, Ruwaida, Freiha, Al Bidda and Doha. The most notable was Al Zubara which became a hub for the Gulf pearl trade.
LOCATE ON QATAR MAP
Qatar