Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1996.04.01 |
Object Name |
Opera Cloak |
Date |
c. 1908 |
Features |
Opera cloak c.1908, black, ribbed silk with satin floral/fauna pattern, long sleeves, trimmed with black and white feathers at hem, cuffs, line, front opening, black velvet neckline with attached feather, satin backed collar lined with striped ribbed silk, interior pocket, hook and eye closures, label Emile Pinyat, Paris, heavy machine lace over shoulder ending in massive tassels. |
Object Story |
This cloak was designed by Emile Pignat the owner and designer at the Maison Pingat which was a design company between 1860 and 1896 in Paris, France. Although starting as an amateur, Emile gained the reputation of one of the best fashion designers in Paris in the 19th century due to his craftsmanship and unusual trimmings such as feathers that he was known for. His designing firm was in Paris but he also provided licensed design copies to be sold in the U.S, as well as patterns that could be replicated by women at home. By the 1880s Emile was known for clothing the richest people across the world. In 1896, Emile sold the company to A. Wallès & Cie and fell into obscurity. This cloak was owned by Janet Bogart Conger in the early 1900s. Janet was born in Belleville in 1839 to Abraham L. and Isabella (nee Young) Bogart. In 1857 Janet married Peter De Sidnia Conger on November 19th in Belleville who owned the Conger Coal Company in Toronto and eventually became the mayor of Belleville. The two had 4 children, Maude in 1860, Jessie in 1862, Helena in 1864 and finally Fredrick in 1869. 10 years later, in 1879, Peter was in a train accident which caused irreparable damage to him which he reportedly never recovered from. Said damage may have been the cause of his heart attack 6 years later which resulted in his death. After Peter's death Janet became a very wealthy widow and took to travelling to New York and France. In her free time Janet became a writer and a socialite. After returning to Napanee, Janet met and married her second husband Dr. William Cox Allen who was previously the mayor of Cornwall. William died in 1901 followed by Janet on March 17th, 1909. After her death Janet was buried beside her first husband Peter in Belleville Cemetery. |
People |
Conger, Janet Bogart, 1839-1909 Conger, Jessie, c1862- Conger, Helena, c1864- Conger, Maude Seymour, 1860-1930 Conger, Peter Conger, Peter D. Conger, Frederick, 1869-c1929 |
Subjects |
1890's 1900's Women Costumes Cloaks Clothing & dress Design Designers Widows Wealthy people Wealth Writers Socialites |
Search Terms |
Belleville Napanee France Paris Belleville Cemetery 1890s 1900s Costume, 1900 |