Mantle

Art Historical Context

Step into the opulent world of late 19th-century American fashion this exquisite *Mantle*, crafted around 1885–90 from luxurious silk. As an outer garment, likely worn by affluent women, it exemplifies the era's emphasis on elegance and social display during the Gilded Age Produced by an unknown American maker, the piece reflects the burgeoning ready-to-wear industry, blending craftsmanship with emerging mass production techniques. Silk, the mantle's primary medium, was prized import symbolizing wealth and refinement. Its shimmering texture and durability made it ideal for formal outerwear, often draped over bustled gowns for evening outings or promenade. This garment's survival highlights the Costume Institute's role in preserving ephemeral fashion as cultural artifacts. Acquired through the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection and gifted to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2009—originally donated by Lillian E. Glenn Peirce and Mabel Glenn Cooper in 1929—this mantle offers a tangible link to Victorian-era tastes. It invites us to imagine the poised figures who once wore it, embodying American aspirations amid rapid industrialization.