Parasol met dek van zwarte kant op tule, op een stok met een gebogen handvat van donkere bamboe c. 1880

This parasol with a black lace cover on tulle with a dark bamboo handle, was crafted by Gustav Schnitzler. The parasol's elegance speaks to a time of rigid social structures, where fashion was a tool of class distinction. It also reflects how women navigated the public sphere. The lace symbolizes a desire for self-expression within the constraints of gender roles. Black lace, particularly, often signified mourning, but it was also a popular fashion statement, showcasing a play between grief and glamour. The parasol would have protected the bearer's skin from the sun, which at the time was a popular beauty trend. It encourages us to reflect on the subtle yet powerful ways in which accessories like this can represent our identities and aspirations.