Friends, summer is in full swing. It’s hot, it’s sunny, and we’re all ready to—literally — get shady. So, what could be more appropriate than a tour through some lovely historical parasols?
Like footwear, parasols and sun-protective umbrellas have been traced to multiple civilizations throughout history. For thousands of years, humans have used shade on sticks to protect themselves from the sun. Some specific places do come to mind when pondering ancient parasols, though.
Some of the earliest depictions of parasols have been found in ancient Egyptian artifacts. Ancient Persian artifacts also contain very early historical evidence of parasols.
Greece, Rome, India, Mesopotamia, and other areas of southeast Asia were also early users of the parasol. Oil-paper umbrellas have existed as useful accessories, culturally significant objects, and works of art in China, Japan, and Korea for thousands of years as well.
The parasol wasn’t widely used in Europe until about the 17th century. This is when we start to see parasols become more common in artistic representations in European art. By the time the Enlightenment was underway in the 18th century, the parasol was firmly established as a fashionable accessory in France, and from there it spread around Europe. Parasols were seen as indicators of gentility, wealth, and good standing in society.
Through the late 18th century and into the 19th century, parasols became even more enmeshed with social codes with regards to femininity, etiquette, and fashion. This sort of visual language of clothing and accessories meant that parasols, along with all the rest, were often highly decorative. The Victorian era saw an especially significant boon in very decorated parasols. Think ruffles, ornate handles, beading, embroidery, and lace.
This relatively simple black parasol is American c. 1870, potentially a mourning parasol. One interesting feature here is the telescoping handle. From the collection at the Met Museum.
This blue beauty is also American, from the 1850s. The flounces and trim of the parasol echo the skirts and dresses of that decade. From the collection at the Met Museum.
This pair of heavily embroidered parasols was made in China between 1860 and 1870. The elaborate embroidered motifs and intricate carved ivory handle are highly decorative. These were imported to England, where they would have been best displayed from a carriage. From the collection at the V&A Museum.
This gorgeous printed silk chine parasol is English, and also from the 1850s. Each section of the parasol features an individual spray of flowers. From the collection at the V&A Museum.
This French parasol from the 1860s is pretty out there, isn’t it? The cover of the parasol is embroidered with purple flowers, and the trim is made from straw. From the collection at the Met Museum.
In the mood for more green? This 1830s parasol has a silk cover and silk fringe, with an ivory handle and metal slide hinge. While it was made in China, it was imported to England where it was sold and used. From the collection at the V&A Museum.
This ruffled and flounce-y confection was made and sold by the Stern Brothers department store in the U.S, c. 1870. The placement of the ruffles is influenced by the fashion in France. From the collection at the Met Museum.
This is another gorgeous, Chinese-made parasol, imported to the United Kingdom. The ivory handle has a dragon’s head grip, and the silk cover is bedecked with embroidered flowers in shades of blue, green, and pink. From the collection at the V&A Museum.
More lace and more ruffles, please! This late-Victorian parasol was made in the U.S. c. 1880-1890. If you look closely at the top of the parasol, there is a hook that allows it to be carried with the canopy down, as opposed to carrying it by the handle. This would help show off all the glorious ruffles in an elegant fashion. From the collection at the Met Museum.
Now that you have sufficient inspiration, do you think you will be utilizing a parasol for some historically-influenced sun protection?
