Ambrotype of Woman seated with arms crossed
Subject
Photograph
Title
Ambrotype of Woman seated with arms crossed
Date
ca. 1848 - 1860
Description
This photograph is an ambrotype of an older woman circa 1850s. The ambrotype is in a brass matte with decorative engravings. Ambrotypes were developed in the early 1850s and were considerably less expensive than their predecessor, the daguerreotype, making it more affordable for middle and working class people.
The woman is sitting with her arms crossed on her lap and is wearing a dark-colored, long sleeved dress with a full gathered skirt. According to Joan Severa, black was considered the most appropriate color for older women to wear in the 1850s, though they could also wear other colors such as dark brown or blue. She is also wearing a small white collar and a brooch. The white collar was worn to protect the neck of the dress from getting soiled from contact with the body and was removable so that it may be washed. The sleeves have epaulet caps that are tightly fitted at the top of the arm and trimmed with either rows of tucks or possibly covered cord. The woman’s hair is neatly pulled back, probably in a bun, with the hair in the front being parted in the middle and smoothed down on each side of her head as was fashionable in the 1850s.
The woman is sitting with her arms crossed on her lap and is wearing a dark-colored, long sleeved dress with a full gathered skirt. According to Joan Severa, black was considered the most appropriate color for older women to wear in the 1850s, though they could also wear other colors such as dark brown or blue. She is also wearing a small white collar and a brooch. The white collar was worn to protect the neck of the dress from getting soiled from contact with the body and was removable so that it may be washed. The sleeves have epaulet caps that are tightly fitted at the top of the arm and trimmed with either rows of tucks or possibly covered cord. The woman’s hair is neatly pulled back, probably in a bun, with the hair in the front being parted in the middle and smoothed down on each side of her head as was fashionable in the 1850s.
References
Langberg, Karen. "Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes & Tintypes. The Rise of Early Photography." Bonhams Skinner, October 18, 2011. https://www.skinnerinc.com/news/blog/daguerreotypes-ambrotypes-tintypes-the-rise-of-early-photography/
Severa, Joan. Dressed for the Photographer: Ordinary Americans & Fashion, 1840-1900. Kent, Ohio: The Kent State University Press, 1995.
Source
Donor: Mabel Etta Streeter Perrin (Mrs. Irving Perrin)
Maude Ide Streeter Crabbs (Mrs. Frank W. Crabbs)
Perrin Collection
Maude Ide Streeter Crabbs (Mrs. Frank W. Crabbs)
Perrin Collection
Identifier
URI 1964.30.52
Contributor
Arianna Gutierrez
Collection
Citation
“Ambrotype of Woman seated with arms crossed,” Historic Textile and Costume Collection, accessed April 26, 2024, https://uritextilecollection.omeka.net/items/show/531.