Bamboo Hat Stand

An image of a wooden cylinder. On it there are carvings of chickens and foliage. It is sitting on a white lace doily, in the background is orangish wallpaper.
Bamboo Hat Stand from the Eldon House collection

Country of Origin: China
Year: ca. 1890
Materials: Bamboo 

It was popular to collect decorative pieces from international countries and repurpose them to suit different needs. This was the case of this bamboo hat stand that was purchased in China on the Harris Family travels in 1897. It was traditionally meant to hold a piece of headwear, but was used by the Harris Family for decoration. The piece is carved from one piece of bamboo, and on the outside has a carving of two hens and one rooster standing under a tree.

We acknowledge that we are on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lūnaapéewak and Attawandaron. We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home.

We acknowledge all the treaties that are specific to this area: the Two Row Wampum Belt Treaty of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy/Silver Covenant Chain; the Beaver Hunting Grounds of the Haudenosaunee NANFAN Treaty of 1701; the McKee Treaty of 1790, the London Township Treaty of 1796, the Huron Tract Treaty of 1827, with the Anishinaabeg, and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum of the Anishnaabek and Haudenosaunee.

The three Indigenous Nations that are neighbours to London are the Chippewas of the Thames First Nation; Oneida Nation of the Thames; and the Munsee-Delaware Nation who all continue to live as sovereign Nations with individual and unique languages, cultures, and customs.