French Steel Frame Parasol with Silk Covering

Baroque · 1700s · French

This 18th-century French parasol displays the sophisticated engineering of Rococo-era accessories. The steel frame features multiple radiating ribs that extend from a central pole, creating the characteristic umbrella structure. The ribs are connected by a complex system of metal joints and hinges that allow the parasol to open and close. The frame is covered with what appears to be cream or white silk fabric, stretched taut across the metal skeleton. The central pole terminates in a pointed finial, and the overall construction demonstrates the period's advancement in metalworking techniques. This type of parasol would have been an essential accessory for fashionable ladies protecting their complexions during outdoor activities, reflecting the 18th-century emphasis on pale skin as a mark of refinement.