Military epaulets

Art Historical Context

These striking military epaulets, crafted in 1864, hail from the height of the American Civil War a pivotal conflict that tested the nation's unity. Adorning the shoulders of Union Army officers, they served as essential insignia denoting rank and authority on the battlefield. Produced amid the industrial fervor of wartime America, such pieces were vital for maintaining discipline and hierarchy among soldiers facing grueling campaigns like those at Gettysburg or Atlanta. Made from wool fabric embroidered with metallic threads—likely gold or silver bullion—the epaulets exemplify 19th-century textile craftsmanship. The plush wool provided durability for field use, while the shimmering metallic elements added a ceremonial flair, symbolizing prestige and evoking European military traditions adapted to the American context. Their intricate stitching techniques highlight the skilled labor of uniform makers supporting the war effort. Now preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, these epaulets from the Brooklyn Museum collection offer a tangible link to the human stories of the Civil War. Gifted by Eleanor Fayerweather in 1949, they invite us to reflect on the bravery, sacrifice, and fashion of military life in a divided era.