Fashion Accessories
Jewelry
Georgian Paste Shoe Buckles
Buckles were made to be attached to the shoe's two straps, or latchets, securing them over the instep. A pitchfork-shaped double prong, called a tongue, fastened one latchet, and two short spikes on the loop, or chape, attached the anchoring latchet.... Read More →
Lover’s Eye Brooches
Portrait miniatures mounted as brooches, pendants, or lockets were very popular items of jewelry during the 18th century. Toward the end of the century, an unusual variation became fashionable: the eye brooch, or lover's... Read More →
Fans
Brisé Fans, Overview
Brisé fans have no leaf, instead consisting only of decorative sticks carved or pierced or painted... Read More →
Mother-of-Pearl Brisé Fan
Elegantly pierced mother-of-pearl sticks with guards of cut steel, faceted and polished to resemble diamonds... Read More →
Purses & Reticules
Knitted and Netted Purses
Netting was a popular pastime from the mid-18th century through the early 19th century, and was practiced by both men and women. Whereas men generally worked on utilitarian nets for use in fishing, hunting, or gardening, the favorite object for women was the netted purse.... Read More →
Beaded Sovereign Purses
These tiny, flat coin purses — called sovereign purses in England — were often kept inside the larger reticule, or hung from a chatelaine. They were sometimes pretty enough to double as an evening... Read More →
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