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Woman's Cape

Dateabout 1895

MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched wool, silk, and cotton, with glass beads, and ferrous metal hooks and eyes

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (front length x hem circumference): 26 1/4 x 107in. (66.7 x 271.8cm)

Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection

DescriptionWoman's shoulder cape, made with fabric from a striped paisley-type shawl and black velveteen. The cape has a yoke and 2 1/2-inch-high standing band collar made of the black velveteen. A 4 1/2-inch-deep flounce of the black velveteen is stitched around the bottom of the yoke, over the paisley fabric, which constitutes the main fashion fabric of the cape. The paisley fabric is woven in stripes of red, black, white, maroon, green, orange, and light blue; each stripe is woven with multi-colored patterns. Trimming the collar is a woven black braid edged with black beads. This same beaded braid is stitched over the seam between the yoke and the flounce. The center front opening fastens with hooks and eyes. The lining fabric is probably reused from a dress; it is burgundy silk woven with black ribs in groups of two and three. A strip of the lining fabric is stitched inside the back of the neck for hanging the cape.

Object number1985.176.0

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