Tippet
ca. 1865
Medium
fur, silk
Classification
Cape (Tippet)
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 Emma Crampton Trainer, 1968
Accession Number
2009.300.3862
Art Historical Context
Step into the refined world of mid-19th-century American with *Tippet*, crafted around 1865 by C. G. Gunther's Sons, a prominent furrier. This elegant shoulder accessory, fashioned from luxurious fur and silk, exemplifies opulent outerwear popular among the fashionable elite during the post-Civil War era. Tippets like this were lightweight capes or scarves draped over shoulders, offering both warmth and a touch of extravagance for winter outings or evening attire. The use of fur—prized for its insulating qualities and status symbolism—paired with smooth silk likely for lining or edging, highl...
About the Artist
C. G. Gunther's Sons · 1820–1820
C. G. Gunther's Sons, an esteemed American fashion house founded in 1820, emerged as a premier maker of luxury garments during the 19th century, particularly renowned for their exquisite fur accessories and outerwear. Established in New York City, the firm traced its roots to Christian G. Gunther, a German immigrant whose expertise in furriery laid the foundation for a family enterprise that cater...