Parasol
ca. 1925 (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.
With more covered automobiles and the new vogue for sun-tanned skin, the 1920s were the parasol's swansong. Elaborate and novel designs flooded the market in an attempt to win back interest. Novelty handles, such as this horn example carved in the shape of an owl, first became popular in the 1880s and saw a revived fervour in the 1910s and 20s. Characteristically for this period the parasol is short in length, approximately half what was typical in the previous decade.
With more covered automobiles and the new vogue for sun-tanned skin, the 1920s were the parasol's swansong. Elaborate and novel designs flooded the market in an attempt to win back interest. Novelty handles, such as this horn example carved in the shape of an owl, first became popular in the 1880s and saw a revived fervour in the 1910s and 20s. Characteristically for this period the parasol is short in length, approximately half what was typical in the previous decade.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silk, metal frame, Asiatic buffalo (Bubalus) horn |
| Brief description | Silk parasol with owl shaped handle, Belgium, ca. 1925. |
| Physical description | Parasol with a domed cover made from green silk with a narrow frill of the same material. The stick is of wood. The tip is tapered, of matching composition. The short stick is of light wood and there are two brass catches with an incised pattern. The ribs are of rectangular hollow section metal. A ruche of the covering material is stretched inside the apex and to cover the junction of stay and slider. The finial, rib tips and handle with its glass-eyed, carved owl are probably from Asiatic buffalo (Bubalus) horn. |
| Dimensions |
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| Subject depicted | |
| 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. With more covered automobiles and the new vogue for sun-tanned skin, the 1920s were the parasol's swansong. Elaborate and novel designs flooded the market in an attempt to win back interest. Novelty handles, such as this horn example carved in the shape of an owl, first became popular in the 1880s and saw a revived fervour in the 1910s and 20s. Characteristically for this period the parasol is short in length, approximately half what was typical in the previous decade. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.340-1970 |
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| Record created | October 1, 2007 |
| Record URL |
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