Shawl
Unknown Artist
1851
Medium
silk, wool, metallic thread
Classification
Shawl
Culture
French
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Council of Fashion Designers of America, 1989
Accession Number
1989.24
Art Historical Context
Step into the opulent world of mid-19th-century French with this stunning *Shawl* from 1851, crafted by an unknown artist. Made from a luxurious blend of silk, wool, and metallic thread, exemplifies the era's masterful textile techniques. The shimmering metallic accents would have caught the light beautifully, adding a touch of grandeur to evening attire during the Second Empire under Napoleon III, a time when France led global trends in couture and elegance. Shawls like this were essential accessories for women of refined taste, draped over crinoline-supported gowns to provide both warmth an...