This bowed boater is made of straw sinamay base with all around embellishments of pearls, glass beading even on the underside and a sheer ivory extension to the brim. For extra security an elastic has been attached for attachment of the back on the neck. 
This beautiful boater shape was made on a very rare vintage block formally owned by the master of millinery Philip Somerville ( the queens milliners). It is amazing to work with such blocks that iv acquired and to bring them out of retirement to use them as the tools they were originally made to be.