- Wayne State University Digital Collections

Bracelet, about 1860

Snake motifs are popular with the Victorians and are often seen on bracelets.Like wreaths, the snake with tongue in its mouth is another symbol for eternity.Because this locket/clasp holds a fine plait of human hair it is plausible that this could also have been used to memorialize the deceased; however, it could also be a symbol of everlasting love and include a lock of the hair of the loved on.It is not clear if the stone is paste or garnet.

White Satin Ball Gown with Heavily Beaded Bodice, 1955

Powdery-blue or blue-grey satin evening gown. Floral embroidery of silver, pink and blue-grey colored metallic threads (some appear to be tarnished silver, others may be synthetic) decorated with iridescent rhinestones and tiny sequins. Embroidery diminishes towards bottom of dress; no embroidery at hemline. Skirt smooth and curved in front, gathered in back. At center-back waistline is a large asymmetrical vertical bow with attached sash. Corselet inside of bodice. Bodice stiffened with white c…

Hat Clip, about 1930

Hat clips were attached to edges or bands of hats for that extra style or color.In this period they would have been added to small rather tight cloche hats; this Art Deco clip would have added real flair.This appears to be of phenol formaldehyde, often called Bakelite.Bakelite is really the trade name for plastics produced by Bakelite Ltd. in England and Bakelite Corporation in the United States; it is unclear if this was truly made by Bakelite.Most Art Deco plastics are referred to as Bakelite,…

Girl's Long Sleeve Print Dress, about 1840

White cotton dress roll-printed with with tiny red flower sprig pattern. Long bishop-style sleeves gauged at top. High waist with gathered skirt. Piped seams throughout. Appears to have been constructed from another garment: bodice pieced idiosyncratically, print oriented in different directions, and wear patterns inconsistent. Old stitches and folds visible on inside, indicating old tuck or fold had been let out in order to reuse fabric. Wire hooks and eyes on sleeves not hammered flat. Hand-se…

Mourning Ring, 1807

This ring might be considered an interesting transitional mourning ring.Earlier mourning rings were generally set with sepia scenes under glass and set into the gold band.Later mourning and memorial rings, from the 1830s on, often included locks of hair and onyx, pearls or enamel; some were plaited entirely of human hair.This ring is plain and simple, not unlike other decorative accessories of this classical revival period, and does not include the earlier sepia scenes but is more akin to rings …

Waistcoat, about 1780-1840

Maybe an under waistcoat, worn under other waistcoast as it is very plain and there is original piecing at side front, indicating the sides would not have been seen.Inserted panel at side seams.Worn by a member of the Mitchell family of New York State.

Heavy gold moire silk strapless evening dress from the 1950s

Heavy gold moire silk ottoman, strapless evening dress with heart-shaped neckline. The dress is a semi-princess line with the front cut in one piece. Fabric folded over hips to suggest panniers, and the skirt is pleated in the center back. Back zipper closure. The bodice is boned, and lined with black acetate. The gown's skirt has knee length black ninon underskirt-stiffened with a wide horsehair braid. Label: Julie Inc, Fisher Bldg. Detroit. Donor identifies it as a Norman Norell. It ha…

Necklace and Earrings, about 1840-1875

While amethyst is not considered a particularly rare or desirable stone today (it is a quartz and rather soft) it was much prized in the nineteenth century.Until the late nineteenth century, when Brazilian deposits of amethyst were found, amethysts were considered important stones in expensive jewelry.This is an interesting half set, as the necklace has the style and delicacy of the 1840s, but the earrings resemble those popular in the 1870s.Research has revealed that the business stamped on the…

Duster, about 1915

The material does not feel as if it is all wool--perhaps wool and cotton or wool and linen. Worn by Willis C. Ward, it is typical in the styling of men's driving dusters. The material, however, is uncommon, as most dusters were generally linen. Willis C. Ward was born in 1861 to one of Michigan's wealthest families of the 19th century. His father David Ward, made his fortune in lumber and acquired and sold timbered land throughout the United States.

Masonic Pendant, 1803

The Freemasons are the world's largest fraternal organization.What is known as modern Freemasons began in 1717 in England; however, the history of the legend of the Freemasons dates far back to biblical times with the building of King Solomon's temple and written evidence of the Freemasons appears in the fourteenth century.A secret society, there is no known founder of this fraternal organization.The Freemason organization is not a religious group, but rather a group based on many religious and …

Masonic Pendant, 1806

The Freemasons are the world's largest fraternal organization.What is known as modern Freemasons began in 1717 in England; however, the history of the legend of the Freemasons dates far back to biblical times with the building of King Solomon's temple and written evidence of the Freemasons appears in the fourteenth century.A secret society, there is no known founder of this fraternal organization.The Freemason organization is not a religious group, but rather a group based on many religious and …

Masonic Pendant, about 1820

The Freemasons are the world's largest fraternal organization.What is known as modern Freemasons began in 1717 in England; however, the history of the legend of the Freemasons dates far back to biblical times with the building of King Solomon's temple and written evidence of the Freemasons appears in the fourteenth century.A secret society, there is no known founder of this fraternal organization.The Freemason organization is not a religious group, but rather a group based on many religious and …

Black Velvet and Lace Hostess Dress, about 1930-1932

Black silk velvet hostess dress with neckline, hem and half of sleeves edged in beige machine lace. Short, semicircular demi-train. This dress is not labeled, but is believed to be a Stein & Blaine based on another black velvet hostess dress of a similar style that is owned The Henry Ford and has a Stein & Blaine label.

Daguerreotype Brooch, about 1850

This may have been used in mourning and may memorialize the gentleman depicted on the brooch.Earlier mourning brooches included watercolors of likenesses of the deceased but daguerreotypoes, our first real photographs, records the extraordinary image of the deceased.The bit of hair on the back of the brooch may be the hair of the gentleman depicted but this cannot be verified.The curator has seen few brooches set with photographs, either daguerreotypes orthe later tintypes; this is a rare surviv…

Women's black velvet and ermine cape from the 1930s

This woman's black velvet and ermine cape is comprised of a straight tube of black velvet that is a below- knee-length. It is lined with white satin in a rice-paper pattern. The cape has armholes at shoulders, and a wide shawl collar of white ermine. It dips down in back to below waist length, and a band of ermine runs down the front to the hem. The collar is lined with black satin, and the velvet inner-lined with white wool. The cape is without fastenings though they may have been removed.…

Women's two piece wool twill suit from the 1940s

This is a woman's two piece wool twill suit in dark taupe wool with black silk braid. The jacket has long, straight sleeves, rounded collar, is hip length with a nipped-in waist. It is decorated with a swirling loop and paisley pattern of braid at the center front and jacket hemline. Covered buttons are at its center, and a hook and eye closure continue into the braid pattern at the front points of the jacket. The jacket is lined in crepe, and is labeled at the back of the neck B. Siegel. T…

Brooch, about 1860

This interesting brooch combines styles popular in the 1850s and 1860s, namely the bow know form with the dead gold metal (bright yellow metal that is produced without a sheen) and Etruscan filigree (delicate dots of gold that imitates Etruscan filigree decoration) that were popular primarily from the 1830s on.Etruscan filigree, really granulated drops of gold, was revived by Giulio Castellani of Britain who learned of the work from a scholar studying the ancients.He popularized the Etruscan rev…

Boy's Suit, 1820-1830

The Eton-style suit was common for young boys in the 19th Century and was used for school or special occasions. This rare and rather expensive example belonged to the Mitchell family of rural New York State (as did the very similar suit numbered 35.596.5).The jacket front is very typical of those worn around 1820. The suit is nicely made but not exquisitely so; it is all hand-sewn and of lovely silk fabric. This is a variation of the skeleton suit in which the buttons on the waistband attach to …

Medal, 1829

It is particularly interesting that this medal was presented to a young lady.We do not know about Rev. Carll's Academy, however, it is plausible that it was a female academy.Female academies were established after the American Revolution, particularly in the early nineteenth century, for training future wives and mothers for rearing literate citizens of the New Republic.These schools included traditional subjects such as religion (note that this is Rev. Carll's Academy and surely emphasized reli…

Watch Chain, about 1900

The watch chain and good luck charm appear to be from circa 1900.The attached fob/plaque engraved "J.W.D. 1823" does not appear to be that early but may well be circa 1860, perhaps a fortieth or fiftieth birthday present to J.W.D. The plaque was likely added to the chain many years after it was initially presented.Such chains also included a watch, of course, which rested in the waistcoat pocket.It is unknown what White Brothers and Company of Boston manufactured."Willow Calf" may refer to calf …

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