A "Manufacture Chapeaux Mécaniques Perfectionnés à Paris", Chapeau claque Top-Hat. Black silk cylinder Chapeau claque with oval brim and black bow. It is marked "Elegant" on the inside It is with a fully functioning folding mechanism The hat it self has very minor (or next to non) ageing and patina signs - it is possible to see it has been used on the inside - but not enough so that I can get really good photos of it, but I have tried. And you have to look for it! On the inside of the hat there is some writing in chalk - not sure what it says other then "1/2" It comes in the original box. The box itself has some wear and patina - please see all photos. And the straps on the outside of the box are a bit loos. It is the elasticity in the straps that is becoming loose (after 100+ years!). As fare as I can tell these were made in the period around 1830 - 1890. https://www.parismuseescollections.paris.fr/fr/palais-galliera/oeuvres/haut-de-forme-et-boite-0#infos-principales https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapeau_claque Approximate measurements: H.15cm, L.30cm, W.24cm, Head circumference: D.56cm.