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European Undress Cap
c 1715-20

This cap made from wonderful silk brocades was in the collection of Emma-Henrietta Schiff von Suvero (1863-1924).See below for more information.

For relaxing at home to receive friends, as well as conducting informal business, gentlemen would remove their cocked hats and wigs and put on more comfortable undress caps to cover their bald heads which would be worn with a morning gown or banyan. Probably made from left over fabric from a lady's dress.

Description

the brim woven with crimson, pale green, blue and apricot variety of flowers on a silver gilt ground, the top edged with scalloped silver gilt bobbin lace, the crown of woven brocade using apricot, soft terracotta and mid green silks with a foliate design, on a silver gilt thread ground, silver braid dividing the crown into four segments, the brim lined with apricot silk, the whole lined with linen, 6 1/2 in. h, 20 in; cirumference 21 in; 54 cm

Condition

Very good. Wonderful quality and highly expensive brocade. The silver gilt ground under the brim, not being exposed to light, is untarnished. Ask for photos.   It is sewn with linen thread. Original linen lining. It is quite clean. The lace has tarnished being more golden on the underside.

Comments

Fifteen years after her death the pieces were sold to the Staatliche Kunstgewerbemuseum, Vienna, Austria in August 1939. The Museum now known as the Museum fur Angewandte Kunst (MAK) displayed and stored the items until they were rightfully restituted by the Austrian Government to the descendants of Emma-Henrietta in Spring 2003. There is a tiny label attached to the lace with £2 written in ink.

  • Baumarten, Linda <,i> What Clothes Reveal p 110. The Colonial Williamsburg Collection.

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