This beautiful vintage child's cap is from the remote Indus Kohistan region of north-western Pakistan. It was completely hand-embroidered and hand-made to protect the child from evil spirits with sections of tapestry-stitched diamonds in red, lime green, leaf green and blue, satin-stitched triangular sections in the same colours, has a pleated band of coloured cotton fabric, strips of tinsel woven fabric and little hand-made woollen pompoms. On the front opening (above where the child's eyes would be) a row of silver metal press-studs are sewn, with numerous white seed beads and above this a row of ten metal beads that would jingle when the child runs. Apparently this noise also scares away evil spirits (Pakistani trucks have rows of metal chains that also jingle noisily to protect the driver and truck). Beautiful triangular flaps cover the ears and these are finely embroidered with the protective symbols of diamonds and four-pronged stars as well as a flower embroidered in gold thread. The top of the hat is also decorated heavily to protect the very vulnerable top of the head. It has 3 small cowrie shells and a multi-coloured beaded tassel with coloured woollen tassels at the end. The cap measures 22cm from top to the tip of the ear flap and 44cm circumference around the brim.