Sunday 31 March 2013

1850s bonnets in detail

As Easter is traditionally a time for bonnets I though I'd dedicate this post to bonnets of one of my favourite eras - the 1850s.
Sometimes it can be difficult to know how to trim a blank bonnet form, so these images focus on the details of bonnet decoration from original items, photographs and fashion plates. Enjoy! :)
 

Corduroy Bonnet - Henry Ford Collection


Satin Beauty - Mirror Image Gallery


Silk Taffeta late 1850s - LACMA




Petersons Magazine 1855


1850s drawn bonnet - Henry Ford Costume Collection


Woman in Flowered Bonnet - MET collection


Straw bonnet 1856 - MET Collection


1850s straw bonnet - MFA Collection


Petersons Magazine 1858


Ambrotype by William Edward Kilburn - National Media Museum


Cotton and wool bonnet 1850-59 - MET collection


Straw bonnet - MFA collection


Woman in a bonnet with flowers - Cosmorochester collects


 
New Monthly Belle 1851


1850s straw and horsehair bonnet - MET collection


Possibly Mrs Haggerty, sister of Mathew Brady - LOC collection


Pretty victorian in bonnet - Mirror Image Gallery


French bonnet c.1850 - MFA collection


Arthurs magazine 1854


Mrs Cora Vail 1854 - Missouri History Museum


Lady in furs and bonnet by Plumbe - Mirror Image Gallery


 Ribbon detail, French bonnet c.1850 - MFA collection


Ribbon detail, Straw bonnet 1856 - MET collection


Aunt of Franz Friedrich - MET collection


Victorian beauty - Mirror Image Gallery


9 comments:

  1. Hello!

    I have enjoyed reading your blog, and applaud you on your research! I will be coming back to your site for inspiration for my next bonnet. Do you reenact the Civil War?

    Kristen

    http://victorianneedle.blogspot.com/

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    1. Hello Kristen,
      Thank you for your lovely comment. I take part in Dickens Festivals in the UK, so tend to re-enact around the 1830 - 1863 period depending on character etc.
      Best Wishes, Rhea

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  3. Oh my goodness! All of these images are incredibly lovely!!! I love how the bonnets of the 1850s caused the face to look so very sweet!!

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    1. Thank you :) It reminds me of my poor husband who the first time he saw me wearing my 1850s style bonnet warned me that it was falling off, to which I replied no dear, it's meant to look like that :D

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    2. Ha! That is awesome! Sorry it has taken me so long to reply! I don't get a "replied to comment" notice....Aren't husbands darling!!!

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  4. I just found your site and THANK YOU so much for this posting. I am completing my straw bonnet and this helped so much. I am a Docent (history interpreter) at our local 1850's Gold Rush town of Columbia, Ca.
    will keep your site on my favorites and check in often! Thanks againI

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  5. I think that your site is absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing. It made my day.

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  6. I think that your site is stunning. It gave me a lot of joy and made my day.

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