A hatstand (UK), hatrack (US), coat rack, coat stand, hat tree, hall tree, or portmanteau is a device used to store
hat
A hat is a Headgear, head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorpor ...
s and often
coat
A coat is typically an outer garment for the upper body, worn by any gender for warmth or fashion. Coats typically have long sleeves and are open down the front, and closing by means of buttons, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners (AKA velcro), ...
s on, and
umbrella
An umbrella or parasol is a folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs that is mounted on a wooden, metal, or plastic pole. It is usually designed to protect a person against rain. The term ''umbrella'' is traditionally used when protec ...
s within. A coat rack often refers to a set of hooks that are attached to a wall. Usually made of wood or metal and standing at least tall, the self-standing variant is more often referred to as a hatstand and has a single pole, a sturdy base to prevent toppling, and an array of lengthy pegs at the top for placement of hats. A hatrack was used to decorate Victorian front halls while providing storage.
Description
A hatstand is a device used to store
hat
A hat is a Headgear, head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorpor ...
s and often
coat
A coat is typically an outer garment for the upper body, worn by any gender for warmth or fashion. Coats typically have long sleeves and are open down the front, and closing by means of buttons, zippers, hook-and-loop fasteners (AKA velcro), ...
s on, and
umbrella
An umbrella or parasol is a folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs that is mounted on a wooden, metal, or plastic pole. It is usually designed to protect a person against rain. The term ''umbrella'' is traditionally used when protec ...
s within. Usually made of wood and standing at least tall, they have a single pole making up most of the height, with a sturdy base to prevent toppling, and an array of lengthy pegs at the top for placement of hats. The complicated shapes of the spindles and hooks of both varieties create an interesting pattern on the wall.
Name
The device is known by various names including ''hatstand'' (UK), ''hatrack'' (US), ''coat rack'', ''coat stand'', and ''hall tree''. Some upscale European catalogues market it as a ''portmanteau''
from the French ('carry') and ('cloak'). A coat rack often refers to a set of hooks that are attached to a wall and is mainly used to hang coats and jackets; the self-standing variant is more often referred to as a hatstand, and is mostly used to hang coats, jackets, umbrellas and hats.
History
The front hall was the introduction to the house, and as such was an important part of the
Victorian
Victorian or Victorians may refer to:
19th century
* Victorian era, British history during Queen Victoria's 19th-century reign
** Victorian architecture
** Victorian house
** Victorian decorative arts
** Victorian fashion
** Victorian literatur ...
home.
Furnishings
]
The decorative arts are arts or crafts whose aim is the design and manufacture of objects that are both beautiful and functional. This includes most of the objects for the interiors of buildings, as well as interior design, but typically excl ...
were selected not only to make it a useful place to hang a hat and coat, store an umbrella and leave a
Visiting card, calling card, but also to show family
wealth
Wealth is the abundance of valuable financial assets or physical possessions which can be converted into a form that can be used for transactions. This includes the core meaning as held in the originating Old English word , which is from an ...
,
social position
Social position is the position of an individual in a given society and culture. A given position (for example, the occupation of ''priest'') may belong to many individuals.
Definition
Stanley Wasserman and Katherine Faust Stanley cautioned ...
and
knowledge
Knowledge is an Declarative knowledge, awareness of facts, a Knowledge by acquaintance, familiarity with individuals and situations, or a Procedural knowledge, practical skill. Knowledge of facts, also called propositional knowledge, is oft ...
of current styles.
A hall stand or a hatrack was the most important piece of furniture.
These were new forms that appeared about 1840, such as the hall tree, as homes became larger and social visits became more structured.
Smaller houses had smaller front halls, so a hanging hatrack was the answer to the problem of storing visitors' coats and hats.
As well as holding hats and coats, a hall tree could be used to store bags, umbrellas, walking sticks, boots and other items.
By the 1920s, houses had become smaller, and hall furnishings were usually just a chair, a table and perhaps a mirror; a
closet
A closet (especially in North American English usage) is an enclosed space, with a door, used for storage, particularly that of clothes. ''Fitted closets'' are built into the walls of the house so that they take up no apparent space in the roo ...
or
cupboard
A cupboard is a piece of furniture for enclosing dishware or grocery items that are stored in a home. The term is sometimes also used for any form of cabinet or enclosed bookcase. It gradually evolved from its original meaning: an open-shelved ...
held hats and coats.
See also
*
Clothes valet
Clothes valet, also called men's valet, valet stand and suit stand, is a piece of furniture to hang clothes on. Clothes are hung that are worn multiple times before laundering, such as a men's suit. Typical features of valets include trouser han ...
*
Lobby (room)
A lobby is a room in a building used for entry from the outside. Sometimes referred to as a foyer, entryway, reception area or entrance hall, it is often a large room or complex of rooms (in a theatre, opera house, concert hall, showroom, cine ...
References
External links
{{wiktionary, coat rack, coat stand, portmanteau, position=left
Furniture
Hats