Feather Cloak

Date1825-1835

MediumColored feathers.

Dimensions28 x 23"

Credit LineGift of Tasha Tudor.

Object number1996-656

DescriptionSemicircular cape made of colored feathers forming a geometric pattern. The garment is backed with fine down feathers. Bird feathers include guinea hen and peacock.
Label TextA number of similar capes, or cloaks, survive in museum collections and are of unknown origin. The British Museum's cloak (AOA 1979.Af1.4682) appears similar in design to Colonial Williamsburg's example from the collection of Tasha Tudor (Tasha called it her "Barnyard Cape"). It is possible capes such as this were made by American Indians in the Great Lakes area as tourist items. Other specialists ascribe them to India or the Cape, also made as tourist souvenirs. Costume curators tend to date them to the 1820s and 1830s. Although capes such as this appear to be related to Hawaiian feather cloaks, they were probably not made in Hawaii. The fashion in the West may have been inspired by the visit of the Hawaiian King and Queen to London in 1824.
ProvenanceFrom the collection of Tasha Tudor.