Pelerine van bruine tafzijde afgezet met een strook bruine zijden tule doorstop after 1859

This pelerine, or small cape, was made from brown taffeta trimmed with silk tulle, probably in the 19th century. Garments like these provide a fascinating insight into the social lives of women in the past. Consider the textile industry during this time. Silk production was often associated with global trade networks and colonial exploitation. The color brown, while seemingly understated, could have signified different social meanings depending on the context – perhaps modesty, practicality, or even mourning. The lace trim, though delicate, hints at the labor involved in its creation, and may also reflect the wearer’s social standing. Surviving garments such as this are a window into a world of gender roles, class distinctions, and economic structures. To fully understand this object, we might consult fashion plates, personal letters, and inventories from the period, all of which help to reveal the values and beliefs of the society in which it was worn. By studying such artifacts, we gain a richer understanding of the past.