1878 Exposition Universelle Souvenir Scarf
1878 Exposition Universelle Souvenir Scarf
Usage conditions apply
- Description
- Scarf commemorating the Exposition Universelle held in Paris in 1878. Marked EXPOSITION 1878;" Center - Aerial View of Exposition Buildings. Lr Corner - Crossed Flags and Shield - Exposition 1878. 1 1/2" Blue Border - Machine Hemmed.
- 1878’s Exposition Universelle, the third World’s Fair held in Paris, was, at the time, the largest Exposition ever. About 13 million paying visitors journeyed to the city’s 660 acre showcase of international arts and industries built on the Champ du Mars and the Hill of Chaillot. France’s desire to boldly move past their recent demoralizing defeat in the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) and the chaos of the Paris commune (1871) was evident not only in the scale of the event, but also in the choice of exhibits, over half of which were devoted to French accomplishments.
- The Exposition’s main building was the Palais du Trocadero, a new edifice designed by architect Gabriel Davioud featuring a concert hall and art galleries. The Avenue des Nations displayed examples of buildings from around the world and a Gallery of Machines featured Industrial achievements. Pavilions were run from nations across the globe, including most of Europe, except for Germany, which was barely represented at the Exposition.
- Perhaps the Fair’s most exciting attraction was a tethered balloon offering riders a stunning view from 600 meters above the ground. The head for the Statue of Liberty was on display, as well as notable inventions, including examples of phonograph, telephone and electrical technologies. The era’s racism and cultural elitism were also demonstrated, with a negro village , a human zoo, featuring over 400 individuals of indigenous backgrounds available for the entertainment of Expositon-goers.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- Scarf
- Other Terms
- Scarf; Commemorative
- Date made
- 1878
- associated dates
- 1878 05 01 / 1878 05 01, 1878 11 10 / 1878 11 10
- place made
- France: Île-de-France, Paris
- associated place
- France: Île-de-France, Paris
- Physical Description
- white (overall color)
- black (overall color)
- silk (overall material)
- Measurements
- average spatial: 22 1/2 in x 23 1/2 in; 57.15 cm x 59.69 cm
- ID Number
- 1989.0438.0476
- catalog number
- 1989.0438.0476
- accession number
- 1989.0438
- Credit Line
- The Larry Zim World's Fair Collection
- subject
- Expositions and Fairs
- Exposition Universelle (1878)
- See more items in
- Culture and the Arts: Entertainment
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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