Boa
Unknown Artist
1890s
Medium
feathers
Classification
Boa
Culture
American
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Alan L. Corey Jr., Mrs. William T. Newbold, and Mrs. A.G. Paine, II, 1980
Accession Number
1980.126.31
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of 1890s American fashion with *Boa*, a delicate feather accessory from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume. Crafted by an unknown artist during the Gilded Age, this piece exemplifies the era's love for lavish adornments. Made entirely of feathers, the boa served as a luxurious neck wrap, often draped over evening gowns to add drama and movement. Its lightweight, ethereal quality made it a favorite for high-society women, evoking the extravagance of turn-of-the-century social scenes. Feather boas like this one highlight innovative techniques in millinery and c...