Cloak

Object/Artifact

-

Saco Museum

Name/Title

Cloak

Entry/Object ID

2014.28.1

Description

The body of the cloak is composed of black silk fabric 25" wide (pink selvage edges are visible through shattered areas of lining). Seamed up the center back; each side composed of two widths of fabric and a small inset at the outer edges to complete the circle. Hood is pleated at the back. Very voluminous--est. 18" height. Lining is sewn down 1/2" in from the edge to form a casing for a drawstring. a narrow black silk ribbon runs through it and ties at the top center. The hood connects to the body of the cape at the "collar" which is formed of a 1 1/2" wide piece of fabric (fashion and lining) which creates another casing through which a 3" wide piece of striped black silk ribbon with serrated edging is threaded. Both the exterior and lining of the hood are seamed up the back. All seams are sewn with black silk thread in running stitch. Hem around bottom probably was originally even with both fabrics turned under with the same seam allowance and whip stitched down, but now the black fashion fabric has rolled over some in an uneven way, making it look as if it was turned to the back somewhat. Selvages of lining are not visible. Lining sewn with matching cream silk thread. Hem appears to have also been sewn with cream silk thread. Body is pleated to the back rather than gathered, as is the hood. One central box pleat flanked by 3 (not quite evenly spaced) knife pleats on each sides.

Made/Created

Date made

1780 - 1800

Dimensions

Dimension Notes

height from shoulder to bottom 42.50 in front, 36" in back, hood 18" long, shoulder width 16.50

Materials

Material

silk satin, silk moire ribbon tie

Material Notes

Lining material is a light-weight silk.

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Cultural/Historical Context

Label

Eighteenth-century women's cloaks were available in a wide variety of styles and colors, including satins in black, white, blue, and crimson, as well as floral and spotted patterns. More suitable for spring or fall wear than for harsh New England winters, this cloak is lined with a cream-colored silk and ties at the neck with a wide pattern-woven black silk ribbon. The hood is quite large, a common feature of cloaks in the last quarter of the century when hairstyles increased in height. It is shaped by pleating the silk in such a way that the folds radiate out from the center of the crown in a fan-like pattern.