And it’s that time of year again! I am circling back to my Death Becomes Her series, which all began with me needing to lighten the crushing weight of my existential dread. We still seem to be trending downwards, so I have made a new Skelelady.
“Accounts Rendered” (‘s) garb is from a 1890 American women’s fashion magazine. This Skelelady just graduated into the afterlife. She is framed by a turn of the century Valentine and collaged on an 1891 Invoice from a Scottish General Mourning Warehouse specializing in black silk and mantles located in Edinburgh. I especially like the line which reads “accounts rendered monthly”. I am also quite taken with the vibrant blue/ violet of this invoice, indanthrene. I do think this is my most favorite permutation of the color blue, if I was forced to choose favorites.
The ribbon frame is a 1920 French Moire Picot ribbon with metallic trim. Curious about what I had, I learned a little something about the history of the ribbon. The Moire refers to a watered pattern in fabric originating in Ancient China, popularized in the 17th and 18th century Europe. The picot refers to the tiny woven loops. This type of ribbon was originally worn by royalty and the clergy and later became more accessible in the 19th century, likely due to the industrial revolution.
The moths are printed from a 19th century treatise on Bombyx Mori (google them – they are super cute). I find it interesting that in the late 19th century, you would have need of an establishment that could provide you with an entire wardrobe to let the world know that you were in mourning, to put yourself in a liminal space socially. To show that you had suffered a grief and to make allowances. There was a recognition of death, people stopped for it.
Happy Halloween!
Inquiries about this piece are welcome. Accounts Rendered is available to come live with you.
View more from the Death Becomes Her here: https://ansherman.com/collage-by-alexandra-n-sherman/death-becomes-her/