Cap
Unknown Artist
early 19th century
Medium
cotton, silk, glass beads
Classification
Cap
Culture
European
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Julian Street Jr., 1975
Accession Number
1975.213.4
Art Historical Context
This delicate cap, crafted in the early 19 century by an unknown European artist, exemplifies the refined elegance of Regency-era fashion. Fashioned from cotton and silk adorned with shimmering glass beads, it served as an indoor headpiece for women, often worn to complement morning or evening attire. Such caps were a staple in European wardrobes, blending practicality with ornamentation during a time when neoclassical influences gave way to more romantic styles. The use of glass beads—likely meticulously sewn in intricate patterns—highlights skilled needlework techniques popular among home s...