Accessory
Unknown Artist
1857
Medium
silver
Classification
Accessory
Culture
American or European
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Miss Constance P. Brown, 1942
Accession Number
C.I.42.114.38
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume, *Accessory* (1857) is a silver piece from an unknown artist, likely hailing from American or European workshops. Crafted in the-19th century, item exemplifies the era's fascination with finely wrought personal adornments, when silver was prized for its affordability compared to gold yet capable of intricate detailing. Such accessories—perhaps a brooch, buckle, or clasp—were essential to Victorian-era fashion, elevating everyday attire with subtle elegance. Historically, 1857 fell during a period of industrial innovation and romantic revival...