Textile: Circus acrobat's costume cuff, circa 1865 - 1885, framed
1865 – 1885 (Date manufactured/created)
wool twill fabric, metal sequins
6 1/2" D
X
9" L
Measurement Notes: Dimensions of the cuff itself, as distinguished from the frame
14 1/4" H X 16 7/8" W Measurement Notes: Overall dimensions of framed object
14 1/4" H X 16 7/8" W Measurement Notes: Overall dimensions of framed object
Red and black wool cuff from a 19th century circus costume, mounted in a shadow-box frame. The primary fabric is red wool twill; it is accented with black (or dark color) wool, metallic braid, and flat metal sequins. The cuff is 9" long x 6 1/2" deep from the top fold to bottom fold, with a 4 1/2" wrist opening (thus 9" circumference). It has a curved shape along the lower edge, the underside of the wearer's arm. The design features three diamond-shaped appliques stitched point to point along the top portion and outlined with sequins. A smaller diamond projects to the side from the middle diamond. There is a 3/4" border all around the cuff, consisting of a metallic braid that was once gold in color but is now tarnished and dark. All the dark areas including the braid are outlined with large flat metal sequins, presumed to be brass because of their warm tone, but now tarnished and thus not reflective. Since the cuff is mounted flat in the frame, the opposite side is not visible.
It is unknown whether this cuff was part of a costume worn by tumbler-leaper-acrobat Edwin Fritz Smith (1849 - 1931), however, that seems likely to be the case since it came with the family collection. If so, it most likely dates to Fritz's early years as a leaper-tumbler-acrobat, when he performed in England with his two older brothers, Sidney and Alfred Smith, whom he taught after he finished his seven-year apprenticeship at age 15. The Smiths hailed from Liverpool. The three were known as the Fritz Brothers, and performed for five years, between about 1865 and 1870, until Alfred's untimely death resulting from an on-stage accident.
It is unknown whether this cuff was part of a costume worn by tumbler-leaper-acrobat Edwin Fritz Smith (1849 - 1931), however, that seems likely to be the case since it came with the family collection. If so, it most likely dates to Fritz's early years as a leaper-tumbler-acrobat, when he performed in England with his two older brothers, Sidney and Alfred Smith, whom he taught after he finished his seven-year apprenticeship at age 15. The Smiths hailed from Liverpool. The three were known as the Fritz Brothers, and performed for five years, between about 1865 and 1870, until Alfred's untimely death resulting from an on-stage accident.
Gift of Susan Crozier Fairchild
2022.002.001