Opera Cloak

A black velvet full length cloak draped on a mannequin in the University of Lincoln’s conservation World Culture’s lab.

Identification

  • Object Type: Opera cloak
  • Date: Unknown
  • Origin: Unknown. Believed to be handmade by owner’s mother.  
  • Owner: Private
  • Maker: Believed to have been made by owner’s mother or someone in their family
  • Measurements: 
    • Back length: 130 cm
    • Collar-shoulder: 13 cm
    • Collar (all around): 70 cm
    • Pocket openings: 18 cm
  • Materials: Black velvet and beige/off-white crepe-backed satin lining

Summary

A black velvet opera cloak with a heavily damaged crepe-backed satin lining. The conservation has involved the dyeing and hemming of complex shaped silk crepeline inserts. I have also undertaken extensive tear repairs involving UltraFyne thread and a lot of patience.  

Opera cloaks were worn as a formal evening attire for opera concerts, which historically had very strict dress codes. It was typical to wear a black cloak, which was often full length and of a dark black velvet. This cloak is likely to be mid-20th Century and is suspected to be hand-made by the Owner’s mother. There is evidence of previous repair attempts, which helps tell the story of the cloak, but otherwise little is known about it.  

Behind the Scenes

A black velvet full length cloak draped on a mannequin in the University of Lincoln’s conservation World Culture’s lab.
Opera cloak draped on a mannequin.
Section of damaged lining before stabilisation, the cloak is torn and fragile.
Section of the damaged lining before stabilisation.
Section of damaged lining after stabilisation, the image depicts the cream fabric stabilised with a silk crepeline insert attached using laid couching stitch and invisible darning stitch with cream Ultrafyne thread.
Section of the damaged lining after stabilisation employing a silk crepeline insert attached using laid couching stitch and invisible darning stitch with cream Ultrafyne thread.

The conservator who treated this object is Laurie, click on the profile to learn more.

Note: All images were taken by the conservator unless stated otherwise.

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