Isabella Everson in Nuptial Costume of Sweden, from the set Actors and Actresses, Second Series (N71) for Duke brand cigarettes 1888 - 1890

This lithograph depicts Isabella Everson in Swedish wedding attire, crafted by W. Duke, Sons & Co. The most striking element is the ornate crown. It features a wreath of flowers and upright golden spikes which mimic ears of wheat, ancient symbols of fertility, marriage, and prosperity. Consider how floral crowns have persisted across time, from ancient Greek celebrations to modern festivals, each time evolving yet retaining echoes of their origin. This golden crown is related to the Roman corona spicea, a wreath made of wheat that Roman brides wore. Such traditions are cultural gestures, charged with a collective memory. These symbols speak to something primal within us, a desire for continuity and connection to past rituals, engaging us on a subconscious level. Notice the rosy cheeks of the model that add to the overall sense of youthful hope and renewal that this image and its symbols attempt to capture.