Covered Cage Crinoline
1858 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Crinoline frame of white cotton with an all-over self-coloured woven spot pattern and covered spring steel frame. It is approximately mid calf-length and is shaped by the insertion of woven cotton covered metal steel inserted through tapes. Elasticated waistband and button fastening down centre front. It fastens at the waist with two brass metal hooks and eyes and down the centre front with small two hole white ceramic buttons. There are two brass metal punched eyelets at the centre back waist-band and a tape attached from here to each side of the back holds the shape. It is hand stitched.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Spring steel frame covered with cotton |
| Brief description | Crinoline frame, spring steel frame covered with cotton, England, 1858 |
| Physical description | Crinoline frame of white cotton with an all-over self-coloured woven spot pattern and covered spring steel frame. It is approximately mid calf-length and is shaped by the insertion of woven cotton covered metal steel inserted through tapes. Elasticated waistband and button fastening down centre front. It fastens at the waist with two brass metal hooks and eyes and down the centre front with small two hole white ceramic buttons. There are two brass metal punched eyelets at the centre back waist-band and a tape attached from here to each side of the back holds the shape. It is hand stitched. |
| Gallery label | COVERED CAGE CRINOLINE
(far back)
Spring steel frame covered with white cotton
British, 1858
The cage crinoline, while freeing women from the burden of petticoats, also brought its own problems. The dangers and inconveniences of wearing the cage were well publicised at the time.
There were stories of being trapped in the hoops and revealing more ankle than was thought proper; being blown over in windy weather; being unable to fit into carriages or through narrow doorways.
The most frequent accidents were caused by sparks from open fires. The situation was not helped by the wearing of highly flammable fabrics, such as muslin and tulle, which were very popular for evening wear.
T.16-1979 |
| Object history | Historical significance: This is an important example of an early 1860s crinoline showing the changes in the female silhouette |
| Historical context | The cage crinoline, while freeing women from the burden of petticoats, also brought its own problems. The dangers and inconveniences of wearing the cage were well publicised at the time. There were stories of being trapped in the hoops and revealing more ankle than was thought proper; being blown over in windy weather; being unable to fit into carriages or through narrow doorways. The most frequent accidents were caused by sparks from open fires. The situation was not helped by the wearing of highly flammable fabrics, such as muslin and tulle, which were very popular for evening wear. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.16-1979 |
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| Record created | May 16, 2001 |
| Record URL |
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