Parasol

Unknown

1875–80 · silk, ivory, metal · Costume Institute

While this parasol is of French make, the accession records suggest that it was purchased in South America by a United States serviceman (the donor's father). The intricate carving on the handle is very detailed, depicting a variety of motifs including male and female figures and architectural structures that are vertically aligned with a sense of perspective as is a hallmark of Asian artistry. The records also describe the end of the handle as a "dragon's head with a movable tongue."

Artist

Unknown

Date

1875–80

Medium

silk, ivory, metal

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Lucie and Mary Stevenson, 1948