Cap Crown and a Pair of Lappets
1720s
Medium
Linen, bobbin part lace of a type known as "Brussels"
Dimensions
a: 18 × 22.7 cm (7 1/8 × 8 7/8 in.); b: 64.4 × 11.8 cm (25 3/8 × 4 5/8 in.); c: 64.7 × 12 cm (25 1/2 × 4 3/4 in.)
Classification
costume accessory
Department
Textiles
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
39966
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Very few complete lace headdresses from the 1700s survive, but these three pieces formed the major part of such a decoration. The semicircular cap sat on the head and the long lappets could be styled in a number of ways: hanging free, pleated, or tied in a decorative knot.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...