Artifact of the Month: The once-fashionable nightcap

At first glance, it may look odd. What was its exact purpose? When would someone wear something like this? What is it exactly? This artifact is a nightcap, which was also referred to as a dust cap, boudoir cap, or bed cap.

Nightcaps date back to the 13th century. They were initially worn in cooler climates in Europe as a way to keep the head warm while sleeping. Both men and women wore nightcaps, with men's nightcaps often taking the shape of a triangle.

One of the most iconic depictions of a men's nightcap is the one worn by Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

The populari...