Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Convict cap, before 1849

Convict cap, before 1849

SAFE / DR 56a
Leather
Bequest of Sir William Dixson, 1952

The convict cap is extremely rare. This example is one of a few existing convict caps in public collections in Australia. It is also rare as a garment from early colonial Australia and Britain.

The leather cap

The body of the distinctive leather convict cap is stitched along the front, back and top. The crown is stitched and folded into a long groove. The side panels are longer than the base of the crown. Folded double and secured into position with tied tapes near the base, they form a turned up brim on either side. The cap was stored flat when not in use.