Collections Online

Cloak belonging to Henry Bromfield

Cloak belonging to Henry Bromfield English superfine wool, pink satin facings, red ribbon

view:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

    • To order an image, navigate to the full
    display and click "request this image"
    on the blue toolbar.

    English superfine wool, pink satin facings, red ribbon by unknown maker, [Boston, Massachusetts?], circa 1790–1810

    127 cm L

    Clothing, men’s 009


      Choose an alternate description of this item written for these projects:
    • Main description

    [ This description is from the project: Fashioning the New England Family ]

    Simple cape made with a collar band and attached shoulder capelet that has a scalloped edge and ends in point with small loop of red cord, red satin ribbons fasten it at the neck.

    This cloak was worn by Henry Bromfield (1727-1820), said to be the last gentleman in Boston to cling to old fashioned styles of the 18th century. The cloak  has been taken up under the shoulder cape at front for a shorter person to wear—possibly  a woman. As sleeves became extremely wide with poufs, pleats, and ruching in the late 1820s and 1830s, loose cloaks like this would not crush the bouffant fabrics and lace.