Kerchief
Unknown Artist
19th century
Medium
cotton
Classification
Kerchief
Culture
American or European
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Edwin R. Metcalf, 1969
Accession Number
C.I.69.32.10
Art Historical Context
Welcome to the Costume Institute, where this delicate 19th-century ker offers a glimpse into everyday elegance from American or European life. Crafted from cotton, a versatile and breathable fabric that revolutionized clothing during the Industrial Revolution, this square cloth was likely worn on the head, neck, shoulders for both practical protection and stylish adornment. Kerchiefs like this were wardrobe staples for women across social classes, embodying the era's blend of modesty, utility, and subtle fashion. In the 1800s, cotton's affordability—thanks to advances in textile production—ma...