I’m still feeling a bit lightheaded after my daughter found the images below, of Caroline Ferriday’s gifts to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Bequeathed to the museum at various times over the years, the pieces span centuries and continents. I’ve been researching Caroline’s life for ten years and never knew she’d donated these to the museum.
Caroline, an accomplished Shakespearian actress, spent many years on Broadway and these may have been costumes and props she and her mother Eliza acquired. How smart she was to see their value and make sure they were kept safe and well-tended. Can’t get over how beautiful they are–even the boots, which seem to have seen many productions! Love the cotton “trousers” at the end, too.
19th century silk Russian bodice (above) Love the french ribbon!
Tiffany silk, bone and paper fan (1873)
fan detail
Fur pelerine 1900-1903
Early 19th century silk, bast fiber and fur skirt
Early 20th century silk and cotton robe
Ring, 1700-1939
Leather boots date 1800-1937
Silk purse, 1700’s
Circa 1700, metal, cellulose nitrate and pearl comb
20th century cotton trousers
