Parasol

Unknown

1860–69 · silk, metal, ivory · Costume Institute

This would have been a very expensive parasol. It is unique in the quality of its materials and the quality of the handle. The runner and joint cover are both of ivory which is very rare, and the level of detail on the carving is exemplary, including the grains of the wood at the oval flat end of the stick. As parasols are delicate and fragile, those that remain intact with all parts are particularly special.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1860–69

Medium

silk, metal, ivory

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 Mrs. William Ashbaugh in memory of Commander and Mrs. Alfred Gilliat Gray, 1966