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Feathered pelerine (cape with attached front lappets); two layers of linen canvas with feathers hand sewn on; layers are stitched together with a catch stitch; lined with eiderdown feathers; bands of irridescent green and blue peacock feathers; brown; spots of red feathers for highlight.
pelerines
cotton (textile)
featherwork
Cape
Pelerine
Pelerine
Displayed in Cherished Possessions, 2003-2005: This astonishing garment is a type of cape called a pelerine, worn by fashionable women in America and abroad during the 1820s and '30s. Patterned feather capes like this were very likely inspired by ones worn by the entourage of the King and Queen of Hawaii during their visit to England in 1824. Lithographs depicting the royal tour were widely disseminated in magazines. This example, which contains feathers of birds from many different locations, may have been made in England or in South Africa.
Unknown
South Africa; England
Gift of Mrs. Charles Sprague
1923.508
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