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Panama Hat
Panama Hat Throughout history, straw hats (any brimmed hat that is woven) have been popular to wear particularly in the summer months. The tighter the weave the more expensive the hat. Carludovica palmata or toquills straw plant is used to weave a Panama hat. It is made in Ecuador. Francisco Delgado in the 1700's originally designed the Panama Hat. This design is still used today. In the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, these hats as well as many other South American products were first shipped to the Isthmus of Panama. From Panama, they were sent around the world to Europe, America, and Asia. They acquired the name of Panama Hats because they were shipped internationally from this geographic location even though they were produced in Ecuador. The people headed to California for the gold rush, better known as the 49ers, picked up the hats in Panama on the way to the gold fields. When President Theodore Roosevelt visited the construction site in Panama, he advanced the popularity of the hat when he wore it. The Panama Hat was at the heighth of its popularity in the 19th Century. As a result, the leader of the Ecuadorian Liberal Revolution, Eloy Alfaro, financed his revolution through the export of the "prince of straw hats." His exportation of the hat was very successful. He took power in 1895. He was president from 1895-1901 and 1906-1911. Other notable dignitaries that advanced the popularity of the Panama Hat were Napoleon III and Edward VII. Toquilla straw or Carluduvica Palmata is grown on the eastern slopes of the Andes mountains in Ecuador. It can be found in the provinces of Guayas, Manabi, Esmeraldas, and Morona Santiago. The heart of the plant is used. It is boiled in zinc or copper pots for 25 to 30 minutes; then it is hung on ropes to dry for one or two days. The next step in the process is to smoke and bleach the straw; it takes about two days. The straw is ready for weaving which is completed in the houses of the artisans. Should the artisans decide to dye the straw for their products, they do so in their homes; it would take another two days or so. Montecristi, Ecuador, is considered to have master weavers that can make the finest Panama Hats, it is internationally known. However, the master weaver is disappearing; they are becoming fewer in number. Today the producing of Panama Hats is the weavers only source of income to support the family. They are happy for this opportunity to work. Many Panama Hats are crafted in Cuenca and other areas of Ecuador as well. Master weavers use toquilla straw that has been hand split into strands. The strands are the thickness of thread. Some people think that the hats are linen when they first look at them. The hat takes months to complete and is made and hand blocked by one artisan. Some of the finest, and I emphasis finest, Panama Hats can cost as much as $10,000 because the fibers used are very thin like flax. Of course, there are many fine quality Panama Hats that will be more reasonable in price. The quality and craftsmanship dictate the price.
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This intel was contributed by The MUSEUM
The MUSEUM
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May, 2012
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