Ceremonial Hat for Eating Bouillabaisse
Mixed media sculpture and wearable object • Eileen Agar (British-Argentine, 1899–1991)
Style & Movement
British Surrealism
Medium & Technique
Mixed media assemblage including cork, coral, shells, starfish, and paint
Creation Period
1936
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 25 x 40 x 35 cm; Three-dimensional wearable object
Subject Description
A whimsical and subversive wearable assemblage featuring organic marine elements (coral, shells, sea urchin-like textures) mounted on a cork base. The piece explores the surrealist fascination with 'found objects' (objets trouvés) and the intersection of fashion, nature, and the unconscious mind. In this iconic photograph, the artist herself is wearing the hat against a blue abstract background.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good (based on institutional records and visual appearance)
Estimated Market Value
$150,000 - $250,000 (Institutional rarity value)
Auction Estimate
$100,000 - $200,000
Provenance History
The original work was created for the International Surrealist Exhibition in London (1936). The artist's estate managed the work until it was acquired by a major institution. Currently in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), London.
Art Historical Significance
This is one of the most iconic objects of British Surrealism. It represents Eileen Agar’s unique ability to blend the Mediterranean landscape with feminine domesticity and high-art sculpture. It was a highlight of the 1936 International Surrealist Exhibition, marking Agar as a central figure in the movement alongside André Breton and Salvador Dalí.
Notable Features
The piece uses a large piece of cork bark found by the artist on a beach in Saint-Tropez, epitomizing the Surrealist concept of the 'fortuitous encounter' between found objects.
Condition Issues
Organic materials (cork, coral, shells) are naturally brittle and prone to degradation. Potential for minor flaking of original paint or adhesive failure on smaller sea-life attachments.
Conservation Recommendations
Requires a climate-controlled environment with stable humidity to prevent the cork from drying out. Display should be under UV-filtered glass. Avoid any physical stress on the delicate coral projections.
Collector Notes
Eileen agar