Accessory set
Unknown Artist
early 19th century
Medium
(a), (b) tortoise shell, metal (c) leather, silk (d) hair, metal
Classification
Accessory Set
Culture
American
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Frederick A. Judson, 1937
Accession Number
C.I.37.54a–d
Art Historical Context
This exquisite *Accessory Set* from early 19th-century America offers a glimpse into the refined world of fashion during the young republic's formative years. Comprising four pieces—(a) and (b) from tortoise shell and metal, (c) leather and silk, and (d) incorporating human hair and metal—this ensemble likely served as personal adornments such as combs, a reticule, or chatelaines. Donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in 1937 by Mrs. Frederick A. Judson, it reflects the era's blend of practicality and elegance. Tortoise shell, prized for its warm translucency and durab...