The beading and embroidery details on a Victorian cape from my collection. I acquired this cape from a consignment shop in Salem and it instantly cast quite a spell upon me. The clerk informed me that it belonged to an opera singer in the area but no name was given. I can’t help but melt over relics like this, often thinking about it’s numerous owners and how much they must have cherished it in order for it to survive today. How they recognized its sacredness and treated it thus. And here I am, next in the line of succession, clinging to its beauty and artistry- this sacred remnant of a by-gone era. There is energy in garments like this, made up of sorrow, heartache, songs, and perhaps joy as well, all gathered over a century, slowly growing with each owner the cape outlived. When antiques like this come into my possession I can’t help but feel a special responsibility to preserve such an object for future admiration. I offer you this glimpse for inspiration, for a temporary escape from this draining reality and just a moment of immersion into a daydream. 🖤 #poisonappleprintshop #victoriancape #victorianmourning