The Ornamented Being

Cape, Robina, Paris, France: ca. 1900, ostrich feather and silk chiffon.

c.1920

Mantle, Evening

Charles Frederick Worth  (French (born England), Bourne 1825–1895 Paris)

c. 1897

Mantle, Evening

House of Worth  (French, 1858–1956)

Late 1890s

Met

“Tulipes Hollandaises” (textile)

House of Worth  (French, 1858–1956)

c. 1889

Met

c. 1887

Met

Red bengaline mantle, it’s waist length in back and nearly knee length at front.Just like a cape, it just wraps around the arms, but there is also an extra length of material at the front of the sleeve. It has been beaded with black jet and large spiral circles cover the front and back and around bottom. The collar frill is of horsehair lace

Emile Pingat (French, active 1860–96)

Cloak, Operaca. 1882

Met

c. 1895

The Met says: The ermine lining is unusually paired with the more delicate lace exterior of this cape. The luxurious quality and dramatic interior is an indication of the status of the original owner.

Mourning Cape

Abraham & Straus  (American)

The Met says: Victorian mourning traditions were complex and circumscribed. Full mourning, with its proscribed all-black clothing, lasted a year and a day, while second mourning, which followed, lasted six to nine months and allowed for some use of trim and small jewelry. Half-mourning lasted three to six months and allowed for more elaborate fabrics and jewelry. This cape is an example of a half-mourning evening garment. It was purchased at Abraham & Straus by Brooklyn resident Florence Madden Adriance (1878-1915), who was the grandmother of the donors.Founded in 1865 as Wechsler & Abraham by Abraham Abraham (1843-1911) and Joseph Wechsler (ca. 1837-n.d.), Abraham & Straus became the largest department in store in Brooklyn during the late 19th and early 20th centuri

Met

c.20th century