Sage Green Silk Taffeta Folding Parasol

Empire / Regency · 1810s · English

A folding parasol with sage green silk taffeta canopy featuring eight panels that create a scalloped edge when opened. The canopy is trimmed with cream-colored silk fringe that hangs approximately two inches from the perimeter, adding decorative weight and movement. The parasol demonstrates the refined construction typical of early 19th-century accessories, with precise stitching visible along the panel seams. The white wooden or ivory handle extends from a metal shaft mechanism that allows the parasol to collapse for portability. This type of parasol was essential for protecting complexions during outdoor activities, reflecting the Regency period's emphasis on pale skin as a mark of gentility and social status.