Parasol
Unknown Artist
ca. 1885
Medium
silk, cotton
Classification
Parasol
Culture
American
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Madeleine Tamburro, 1960
Accession Number
2009.300.2481
Art Historical Context
Step into the refined world of late 19th-century American fashion with this exquisite *Parasol*, crafted around 1885 by an unknown artist. Made from luxurious silk and cotton, this from the Costume Institute exemplifies the era's blend of functionality and femininity. Parasols like this were essential for women shielding delicate skin from the sun, a mark of gentility during the Gilded Age when outdoor promenades were social spectacles. The silk likely formed a vibrant canopy, while cotton provided sturdy support—materials chosen for their durability, elegance, and relative accessibility in i...