Cape

Art Historical Context

Step into the refined world of mid-19th-century American fashion with this elegant silk cape from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume. Crafted by an unknown artist during a time of rapid social change—spanning the antebellum period and the eve of the Civil War—this garment reflects the era's blend of practicality and sophistication. Women often wore capes like this for outdoor protection against the elements, while their luxurious materials signaled status and taste amid growing industrialization and urban expansion. Silk, the cape’s prized medium, was a hallmark of high-end attire, impo...