Parasol thumbnail 1
Parasol thumbnail 2
+11
images
Not on display

Parasol

1860-1870 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The parasol was a popular accessory during the 19th and early 20th century, a period when sun tanned skin was highly undesirable. It functioned both as a sunshade and a fashionable accompaniment to dress, distinguishing itself from the umbrella through its infinite and luxurious forms and essentially feminine status. Like the earlier trend for fans parasols displayed an individual's style and could be used in a coquettish ritual to hide the modest bearer from unwanted glances.

Elaborate parasols such as this with intricate Chinese embroidery and dense ivory carving on the handle, were best displayed on carriage rides. Ingenious inventions such as the folding stick, enabling the parasol to be folded in half when not in use, and the 'marquise' hinge, used to angle the cover, were developed in line with this ritual, and both are seen in this example. There is no strap provided to hold the cover closed, instead the parasol is held by a carrying loop on the ferrule, with the cover facing up.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Embroidered silk cover with fringe including passementerie made of knotted frise silk. The parasol is embroidered with coloured silks in satin stitch and French knots. It has a carved ivory stick and whalebone and metal framework.
Brief description
Embroidered satin parasol, China, 1860-1870.
Physical description
Parasol with white, satin, domed cover with a spray of naturalistic flowers (pansies, roses, honeysuckle, etc.) embroidered in satin stitch in coloured silks in each quarter. There is a knotted fringe of white silk around the tip and a fringe of strands on a floss braid around the edge. The lining is of white silk.
The stick is ivory with silver plated brass mounts, hinged at the top spring to permit changed of angle and halfway up the handle to allow for folding. The handle is a flat crook made of Chinese densely carved ivory. The ribs are of whalebone, the stays of metal. There is a carrying loop at the tip.
Dimensions
  • Length: 720mm
  • Aprox when open width: 47cm
  • Closed width: 19cm
Production typeUnique
Credit line
Given by Lord and Lady Cowdray
Object history
A piece of paper at accession was pinned to this parasol, reading: "This parasol, belonging to Queen Victoria, was embroidered for her, in China, to a design of English flowers according to her order."
Historical context
The parasol was a popular accessory during the 19th and early 20th century, a period when the sun tan was not seen as desirable. It functioned both as a sunshade and a fashionable accompaniment to dress, distinguishing itself from the umbrella through its infinite and luxurious forms and essentially feminine status. Like the earlier trend for fans parasols displayed an individual's style and could be used in a coquettish ritual to hide the modest bearer from unwanted glances.
Subjects depicted
Association
Summary
The parasol was a popular accessory during the 19th and early 20th century, a period when sun tanned skin was highly undesirable. It functioned both as a sunshade and a fashionable accompaniment to dress, distinguishing itself from the umbrella through its infinite and luxurious forms and essentially feminine status. Like the earlier trend for fans parasols displayed an individual's style and could be used in a coquettish ritual to hide the modest bearer from unwanted glances.

Elaborate parasols such as this with intricate Chinese embroidery and dense ivory carving on the handle, were best displayed on carriage rides. Ingenious inventions such as the folding stick, enabling the parasol to be folded in half when not in use, and the 'marquise' hinge, used to angle the cover, were developed in line with this ritual, and both are seen in this example. There is no strap provided to hold the cover closed, instead the parasol is held by a carrying loop on the ferrule, with the cover facing up.
Bibliographic reference
Miller, Lesley Ellis, and Ana Cabrera Lafuente, with Claire Allen-Johnstone, eds. Silk: Fibre, Fabric and Fashion. London: Thames & Hudson Ltd in association with the Victoria and Albert Museum, 2021. ISBN 978-0-500-48065-6. This object features in the publication Silk: Fibre, Fabric and Fashion (2021)
Collection
Accession number
T.211-1970

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdOctober 1, 2007
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest