Bonnet 1878 - 1882

This bonnet was created by Madame Mantel from sumptuous velvet, ribbon and handmade flowers. Velvet possesses a unique tactile and visual quality. The short dense pile of the fabric catches the light, creating a soft and elegant sheen. It was a luxury textile that would have been available to a certain tier of society. Consider the ways in which the bonnet is constructed; the fabric has been carefully shaped and stitched together to create a three-dimensional form, and how the ribbons are strategically placed to accentuate the curves of the head. There is also the question of the social context in which the bonnet would have been worn. It was a signifier of status, an indicator of wealth and taste. Such bonnets also provided employment for those who made and sold them. Paying attention to materials, making and context invites us to see how intertwined craft and social history really are.