Authentic Early Victorian Wedding Bonnet | c. 1840 | Museum Deaccession | Romantic to Victorian Transition *Free Shipping

Authentic Early Victorian Wedding Bonnet

Early Hand-Stitched Silk Bridal Bonnet, c. 1840  Free Shipping

Authentic. This is not a reproduction. As featured in Juicy History.

Dated c. 1840, this extraordinary early Victorian wedding bonnet survives from one of the most fascinating turning points in the history of fashion. It is entirely hand-stitched and would have taken weeks of dedicated work by an expert milliner or seamstress.

The bonnet is preserved in remarkable condition. 

For nearly thirty years, this bonnet remained in my personal collection, where it was used for lectures and research into early nineteenth-century millinery. It continues to be one of my very favorite examples.

The bonnet's historical importance begins with its color.

When this bonnet was made, brides rarely married in white. Instead, they commonly chose practical colors that could be worn more than once.  Obviously, white was notoriously difficult to keep clean and so popular choices for wedding dresses during the time when this bonnet was made were typically red, blue, green, and brown.  This bonnet belongs to the world immediately before that remarkable change.

Queen Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert in February 1840 transformed that tradition almost overnight...and forever...when the Queen wore white. 

Fashioned in rich chocolate-brown silk, this bonnet retains an unexpected surprise of brilliant color inside. The original lining made from vivid brick-red cotton printed with tiny polka dots.   I have included here, for descriptive purposes, an image of a typical wedding dress from this time period in much the same colors.

The softly rounded crown and graceful curtain at the back firmly also place the bonnet in the early 1840s. Its original jacquard-woven silk ribbons remain intact.  The narrower black ribbons that once drew the bonnet close to the face beneath the wider, decorative ties are likewise still intact. After the black ribbons secured the bonnet, the wide and costly silk ribbons were fastened into an dramatic bow beneath the chin.

Every part of this exquisite bonnet was created by hand. Thousands of remarkably fine stitches secure the bonnet's ingenious corded construction, formed with cotton cording instead of cane or willow which had been used in decades before. The result is surprisingly flexible, allowing the bonnet to fold flat for travel.

Bonnets such as this framed a woman's face, emphasizing her features only from the front while preserving her modest elegance from the side as was the fashion. Few in this particular color, era, and design survive today.  It is in such lovely condition, and examples with the original intact ribbons and magnificent, colorful lining are exceptionally uncommon.

Condition

Excellent condition expecially for a bonnet that is approximately 185 years old. Several tiny pinholes are present in the silk ribbons, along with minor wear to the black silk facing where it once rested against the wearer's face and neck, entirely consistent with age and original use. One small section at the side has come unstitched and could easily be stabilized with a few discreet hand stitches if desired. Early silk shattering is beginning along the black silk edge framing the face and the short black silk ribbons. No stains or storage odors are present.

This is ideal and certainly strong enough for museum display on a head form. Because of its rarity and exceptional preservation, it should be worn only sparingly, if at all.


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Measurements

• Fits approximately 22 inches (56 cm)
• Front ribbons: 3 inches (8 cm) wide × 16½ inches (42 cm) long
• Narrow black ribbons: 2 inches (5 cm) wide × 8 inches (20 cm) long

Provenance

Deaccessioned from a museum collection and preserved in my private collection for nearly thirty years under archival conditions. Archival tissue and proper storage materials will be included to help ensure its continued preservation.