Fichu
Unknown Artist
mid-19th century
Medium
cotton
Classification
Fichu
Culture
American or European
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mary Pierrepont Beckwith, 1969
Accession Number
C.I.69.33.21
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Costume Institute, delicate *Fichu* from the-19th century exemplifies everyday elegance in women's fashion. Crafted from fine cotton by an unknown artist, the fichu is a triangular kerchief or shawl designed to drape gracefully over the shoulders and neck, modestly framing the décolletage Its lightweight cotton medium made it ideal for warmer weather or indoor wear, reflecting the practical yet refined tastes of the Victorian era. Historically, fichus bridged American and European styles during a time of transatlantic fashion exchange, when modesty and...