This hat stand appears to have been made by the English firm of Battersby & Company, a hat manufacturer established in England in the late 19th century. The stand may have been fitted on to the head by the Melbourne firm Ramie Specialty Co. Battersby hats must have been sold extensively in Australia.This hat stand is useful for display purposes and of interest because of its possible composition (ramie)This is a model of a head used for displaying men's hats. The head is made of composite material , originally a gold colour and lined what what may be the vegetable fibre, ramie. The head is mounted on a wooden stand with a stepped base. There are two labels, one on the neck of the head and the other on the back of the stand. The head is chipped and stained, with exposed nails. Battersby Hats Ramie Specialty Co. Pty. Ltd. Melbournebattersby hats, model head stand, vintage men's clothing, ramie

Cardboard cylinder with green wrapper marked Veritas XXX quality Ramie Gas Mantle No 6841 British Manufacture.Veritas Incandescent Mantle Works London SW.18.lighting, gas, mantle

Ramie is the generic name for a bast fibre fabric made from the stems of plants in the wider nettle family. "Grass Cloth" (Ramie): Known as China grass, ramie, or rhea, this nettle fabric was used similarly to flax linen and was often imported from East Asia. Bleaching Process: In the 18th century, linen was spread on grass (often called "bleach greens" or "bleachfields") and watered regularly to create a "sun-bleached" look without chemicals. Significance: Linen was crucial for clothing (shifts, shirts) and household textiles.Made from grass linen with a decorative circle at the back in floral embroidery and the rest is scattered with tiny flower heads. The edge has a fine leaf decoration and 3 tucks with draw string.embroidery, bonnets, 18th century, holland

Veritas inverted mantle for a gas light in original cardboard box with green writing which reads, Veritas XXX quality inverted mantle, made from superior quality ramie thread strongest and therefore cheapest, British manufacture.Veritas Gas Mantle Works, Wandsworth London S.W.lighting, gas, mantle