Cap 1831

This delicate cap was made by Abigail Lloyd Lott Zabriskie from fine linen, decorated with drawn thread work. Drawn thread work is a type of counted-thread embroidery, where threads are removed from the warp and/or weft of the fabric, and the remaining threads are grouped or bundled together to create decorative patterns. The openwork effect achieved has a lace-like quality. In this cap, the labor-intensive technique is used to create intricate floral and foliate motifs, giving a sense of luxury. The very act of carefully manipulating each thread speaks to both skill and the significant time investment in creating such an object. Caps like these were common in the 18th and 19th centuries, offering a practical function, but in the hands of someone like Zabriskie, they become expressions of artistry. Considering the materials and processes, we can appreciate the immense skill and labor that went into creating this cap, elevating it beyond a mere functional object to a treasured object.