Drool Bib c. mid 19th century

Editor: This piece, “Drool Bib,” made around the mid-19th century, is crafted from woven cotton. What strikes me is how such a functional, everyday object can be elevated through such intricate, decorative artistry. How might we understand the role this piece played within its historical and cultural context? Curator: It’s a deceptively simple object, isn’t it? Mid-19th century domestic textiles like this tell us a great deal about the lives and labor of women. Consider the time and skill involved in creating such fine quilting and decorative edging. What does the act of creating such an elaborate bib, something destined to be soiled, tell us about the values and expectations placed on women's work at the time? Editor: It seems almost contradictory – investing so much into something so easily ruined. Curator: Exactly. We have to consider this in light of Victorian ideals around domesticity. Women were expected to maintain a pristine home, nurture children, and create beauty. This bib can be seen as a tangible representation of those ideals and expectations but also the labor it took to uphold those ideals. Is it possible it also served as an indication of the family's status, or perhaps as an exercise in skill before more elaborate works? Editor: So it's both a practical item and a statement about societal expectations and perhaps even female artistry pushing back within very strict societal boundaries? That’s incredible to consider! Curator: Precisely. These often-overlooked textiles offer invaluable insight into the lived experiences and social dynamics of the past. It makes you appreciate these 'humble' textiles in a different way. Editor: Absolutely! Seeing it as a cultural artifact, beyond just a pretty object, adds so much depth. Thanks for that insight!