Apron
Unknown Artist
ca. 1856
Medium
[no medium available]
Classification
Apron
Culture
American
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Miss Beatrice C. Wilcox, 1942
Accession Number
C.I.42.49.1
Art Historical Context
Step into the everyday elegance of mid-19th-century America with this charming *Apron*, created around 1856 by an unknown artist. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, this piece was generously gifted by Miss Beatrice C. Wilcox in 1942, preserving a slice of domestic history for generations to admire. In the antebellum United States, aprons like this one were essential wardrobe staples for women, blending practicality with subtle artistry. Worn over dresses during household chores, cooking, or gardening, they protected clothing while often showcasing personal flair thr...