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/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    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

      Delete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  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!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    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

      Delete
    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!!!

      Delete
  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

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

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

    ReplyDelete