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Unknown Maker, Probably

Mantelet

Maker

Unknown Maker, Probably

Culture

Probably, French

Title

Mantelet

Year

ca. 1890

Medium

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

Materials

ostrich feather

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of Lea S. Luquer

Object Number

57.080.1

Type

Exhibition History

Swagged and Poufed
The Upholstered Body in the Late 19th-Century and Today
Jan 22, 2016 – Jul 03, 2016

Label copy

The sumptuous voided velvet of this fitted evening mantelet was inspired by Persian textile designs, a reference that would have summoned for the wearer and her audience associations with exotic splendor, technical skill, and personal refinement. Garments like this one were worn outside and therefore seen by many, and as the Godey’s February 1880 issue makes clear, they were often weighed down with opulent cross-cultural references:

The Mante, or mantelet, . . . is made only of rich materials, such as brocaded or damassee silk, stamped or embossed velvet, or Indian cashmere covered with rich silk embroidery. It is beautifully trimmed with thick lace ruches beaded with jet, elaborate passementeries with tiny plush tassels, full copeaux fringes of waved silk braid, or of chenille with tiny satin balls and elegant network headings; silk embroidery and passementerie ornaments complete the trimmings.

Image use

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Public Domain This object is in the Public Domain and available under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

Tombstone

Unknown Maker, Probably
Mantelet, ca. 1890
Silk voided velvet with ostrich feather trim
Gift of Lea S. Luquer 57.080.1

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