Caraco

Unknown Artist

ca. 1780

Caraco by Unknown Artist

Medium

silk, metallic thread

Classification

Caraco

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Catharine Breyer Van Bomel Foundation Fund, 1978

Accession Number

1978.85.1

Art Historical Context

Step into the opulent world of 18th-century French fashion with this exquisite *Caraco*, a short, fitted jacket dating to around 1780. Crafted from sumptuous silk interwoven with shimmering metallic threads, it exemplifies the lavish materials favored by the French aristocracy on the eve of the Revolution. Worn over a petticoat or skirt, the caraco blended formality with informality, making it a versatile staple in women's wardrobes for both courtly gatherings and private salons. This garment hails from the height of the Rococo style's final flourish, where intricate textile techniques like w...

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