Created by
Unidentified
Manufactured by
Belding Brothers and Company, American, 1860 - 1932
Used by
Ku Klux Klan, 2nd, American, 1915 - 1944
Date
1915-1932
Medium
silk and cotton satin with metal snaps and hook and eyes
Dimensions
H x W (flat): 31 1/2 × 56 in. (80 × 142.2 cm)
Description
A Ku Klux Klan ivory colored, half silk satin cape with red half silk satin lining, associated with 2012.134.5.1ab (robe) and 2012.134.5.3ab (hood). The cape is a half circle shape. The short standing collar has red silk on the exterior and ivory silk on the interior, and fastens at the center front using two hook and eye closures. Sewn to the red interior at either shoulder are female halves of the metal snaps that correspond to the male halves on the shoulders of the robe (.1a). Sewn to the bottom front center is a single snap closure.
Statement
Objects depicting symbols of hate or related to organized hate groups may be offensive and disturbing, but the NMAAHC aims to include them in the Collection to present and preserve the historical context in which they were created and used. Objects of this type provide an important historical record from which to study and evaluate history and culture.
Place used
New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Clothing-Historical
Type
capes (outerwear)
Topic
Associations and institutions
Clothing and dress
Fraternal organizations
Men
United States History
White supremacy movements
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Danny Drain, Walterboro, SC
Object number
2012.134.5.2
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a02f02b4-70ad-4e94-982c-3680f6ecd7a6

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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