Nightcap

Art Historical Context

Step into the intimate world of early 19th-century British domestic life with *Nightcap*, a delicate headpiece crafted around 1800 from fine flax linen. Produced by an unknown artisan, this unassuming garment from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute exemplifies attire from the Regency era, when such caps were essential for sleepwear. Worn by men and women alike, nightcaps protected hair from dust and drafts in homes lacking modern insulation, blending practicality with subtle elegance. Flax, the plant-derived fiber spun into linen, was prized for its breathability, strength, an...