This special exhibition shows the impressive diversity of the headgear that is typical of the various regions' traditional costumes. This diversity is the result of a combination of the different bonnet types – such as the wheel bonnet, wing bonnet and dusette – and a wide variety of arts-and-crafts textile techniques. The manufacture of wheel bonnets, for instance, involves bobbin lace, darned netting or chenille work. The backs of the bonnets may be made by different types of lace and embroidery involving metal threads.
A crucial reason for this rich and varied culture of traditional costumes is the historical evolution of the Canton of Saint Gallen, which will be celebrating its 200th anniversary in the coming year. When the Canton joined the Swiss Confederation in 1803, it was made up of all the areas which, after the dissolution of the Helvetic Cantons Säntis and Linth, were assigned neither to the Cantons of Glarus and Schwyz, nor to the two Half-Cantons of Appenzell.
