Dark grey cotton child's hat with gathered opening at the crown. The front decorated with the padded face of a yellow tiger with sharp teeth, a row of bosses below. The hat has two small horns topped with white fur and appliqued circular patches containing embroidered flowers and yin-yang symbols. Lined with dark grey cotton. Probably for a boy.
Described by the collector as originating from the Bai ethnic group, which is one of the minority groups living in Yunnan province. The majority of them live in the Bai autonomous prefecture at Dali, west of Yunnan province. Only a small number of them are scattered in Sichuan or Guizhou provinces. Children wear hats of this type to ward off evil spirits, as the amulets and tiger mask can protect the children from bad spirits. See p. 274 & 360, Guo li li shi bo wu guan (1990), 'Zhongguo shao shu min zu fu shi (Costumes and accessories of Chinese minorities)', Taipei: Guo li li shi bo wu guan bian ji wei yuan hui.
