Casgliadau Arlein

Newport 1st team rugby cap won by Tommy H. Vile, 1902-1912.

Rugby cap of black silk velvet, crown constructed from eight triangular sections (seams covered with metal braid). Centre: domed button covered in metal coils (purl). Strands of twisted metal purl are wrapped around button and have a purl tassel at the end.

Cap is embroidered and appliquéed in metal thread, depicting angel over shield-shape, above are the numbers 11-12 and 10-11. All around the circumference of the cap are metal thread embroidered numbers 03-4, 04-5... etc. Peak is stiffened (card?) It is embroidered with 1902-3 in metal thread. Lower edge of cap and of peak are trimmed with metal braid (width = 1.4cm). Print is visible underneath embroidery.

Cap is lined with yellow cotton and silk twill. Towards the centre of the crown the lining is pleated to accommodate the narrowing shape. It is stitched to a flat oval section (11x13.3cm). This oval has 4 sets of 3 lines of machine stitches stitched into a diamond shape which encloses the maker's label (printed in black). Label is framed by a stylised leafy border and the Royal coat of arms above.