Resource

Mourning Clothing

Artifacts that illustrate the mourning rituals followed by women during and after the Civil War.

A circa 1867, long-sleeved, Black cotton and silk, floor-skimming mourning dress with a white embroidered collar, and three, slightly ruffled, hemmed layers, set upon a hoop skirt. It is exhibited upon a white mannequin.
Mourning Dress

Mourning Dress, ca. 1867. The Jacqueline Loewe Fowler Costume Collection, Gift of Jacqueline Loewe Fowler, 1982.

A 1870s crinkled crepe, Black, long-sleeved, bustle back, mourning dress with a multi-layered decorative hem and a frilly collar.
Mourning Ensemble

Mourning ensemble, 1870-72. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Martha Woodward Weber, 1930.

A circa 1825-60 circular, white pearl contoured, mourning brooch with a pinhook fastening. Dark gray hair, woven into a Turk’s head knot, is secured behind beveled glass.
Brooch (mourning)

Mourning Brooch, 1825-1860. New-York Historical Society, Gift of Mrs. J. Harper (Constance Schermerhorn) Skillin, 1956.

A yellow gold mourning ring with a vine design pattern on both sides of an oval oculus center where dark brown hair, in a Turk’s head knot, is secured below glass. Dimensions: ⅜ x ¾ X ¾ in.