{{Short description|Device used to store hats and coats}} {{about|the furniture using hooks|for the furniture using shelves|Hat shelf|the compartments on airplanes, sometimes called hatracks|Airliner#Overhead bin|the breakdancing move|Headspin}} {{Multiple issues| {{globalize|date=September 2022}} {{One source|date=October 2022}} }} [[File:DorrHouseAug2008HatTree (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=.8|Hall tree at the Clara Barkley Dorr House, in Pensacola, Florida, with a marble top shelf and umbrella stands at the sides]] A '''hatstand''' (UK), '''hatrack''' (US), '''coat rack''', '''coat stand''', '''hat tree''', '''hall tree''', or '''portmanteau''' is a device used to store hats and often coats on, and umbrellas within. A coat rack often refers to a set of hooks that are attached to a wall. Usually made of wood or metal and standing at least {{cvt|150|cm|ft|sigfig=1}} tall, the self-standing variant is more often referred to as a hatstand and has a single pole, a sturdy base to prevent toppling, and an array of lengthy pegs at the top for placement of hats. A hatrack was used to decorate Victorian front halls while providing storage.
== Description == <gallery> Hangout (113454357).jpg|A coat rack made from clothes hooks and a mounting plate Wrought iron coat stand and umbrella stand (4858064613).jpg|A free-standing hatstand and umbrella stand Snag hutständer 2.jpg|Hatracks, 18th century, in St. Nicholas Church, Altengamme, Hamburg, Germany Ssevk innen hutständer.jpg|Hatracks, Sankt-Severini Church, Kirchwerder near Hamburg </gallery>
A hatstand is a device used to store hats and often coats on, and umbrellas within. Usually made of wood and standing at least {{cvt|150|cm|ft|sigfig=1}} tall, they have a single pole making up most of the height, with a sturdy base to prevent toppling, and an array of lengthy pegs at the top for placement of hats. The complicated shapes of the spindles and hooks of both varieties create an interesting pattern on the wall.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=Collectors tip hats to Victorian hall racks |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050612/news_1hs12kovels.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2006-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305030746/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/uniontrib/20050612/news_1hs12kovels.html |archive-date=2016-03-05}}</ref>
=== Name === The device is known by various names including ''hatstand'' (UK), ''hatrack'' (US), ''coat rack'', ''coat stand'', and ''hall tree''. Some upscale European catalogues market it as a ''portmanteau''<ref>{{Cite book |last=Shapiro |first=Michael |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AaI7DgAAQBAJ&dq=%22portmanteau%22+hall+tree&pg=PA148 |title=The Speaking Self: Language Lore and English Usage: Second Edition |date=2017-02-28 |publisher=Springer |isbn=978-3-319-51682-0 |pages=148 |language=en}}</ref> from the French {{Lang|fr|porter}} ('carry') and {{Lang|fr|manteau}} ('cloak'). A coat rack often refers to a set of hooks that are attached to a wall and is mainly used to hang coats and jackets; the self-standing variant is more often referred to as a hatstand, and is mostly used to hang coats, jackets, umbrellas and hats.
==History== The front hall was the introduction to the house, and as such was an important part of the Victorian home.<ref name=":0" /> Furnishings were selected not only to make it a useful place to hang a hat and coat, store an umbrella and leave a calling card, but also to show family wealth, social position and knowledge of current styles.<ref name=":0" /> A hall stand or a hatrack was the most important piece of furniture.<ref name=":0" /> These were new forms that appeared about 1840, such as the hall tree, as homes became larger and social visits became more structured.<ref name=":0" /> Smaller houses had smaller front halls, so a hanging hatrack was the answer to the problem of storing visitors' coats and hats.<ref name=":0" /> As well as holding hats and coats, a hall tree could be used to store bags, umbrellas, walking sticks, boots and other items.<ref name=":0" />
In the 18th century, specially crafted hatracks were part of the furniture in Lutheran churches in a region east of Hamburg, Germany.
By the 1920s, houses had become smaller, and hall furnishings were usually just a chair, a table and perhaps a mirror; a closet or cupboard held hats and coats.<ref name=":0" />
==See also== * Clothes valet * Lobby (room)
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{wiktionary|hatstand|hatrack|hall tree|position=left}} {{wiktionary|coat rack|coat stand|portmanteau|position=left}}
Category:Furniture Category:Hats