Silk ribbon printed as a memorial to General Lafayette. Framed.
Ribbon is printed in black ink. There is a strong horizontal line about one inch from the top as well as one inch from the bottom. Centered between these lines are two images with text. At the top is "LAFAYETTE' over an image of Lafayette in profile within a laurel wreath. Underneath his image is the phrase "THE FRIEND AND COMPANION OF WASHINGTON." Below this is a mourning scene of a cloaked woman mourning at a tomb surmounted with an urn, all underneath a willow tree. The inscription reads, "Born 1757, Died at Paris, May, 1834." A final line of text states, "THE NATION MOURNS A HERO GONE."
Provenance
Was installed in the Slaymaker's home museum. The ribbon was likely acquired and descended through the family because of the fact that according to family tradition, Lafayette stopped at Amos Slaymaker's hostelry, "The Pennsylvania Arms."
A favorite of George Washington, the Marquis de Lafayette fought in the American Revolution, commanding American troops in several battles. In 1824, he returned to the United States for a grand tour where he was greeted with cheers and received many honors. His death ten years later in Paris was marked by a sincere outpouring of grief in the United States as well as in France. This particular mourning scene includes a cloaked woman grieving at a tomb topped with an urn underneath a weeping willow tree.
The urn on top of the tombstone symbolizes death since urns were often used in Greece and Rome to store cremated remains. The weeping willow, so named because of the way raindrops run down its long leaves causing some to think it looks like the tree is crying, serves to reinforce the emotions of grief and mourning.
Overall deterioration, fragile and fraying. Top 1/2 inch of ribbon is nearly separated where hinge is still attached. Overall soiling with damp stains.
Object ID
G.98.30.2
Notes
See paper object file for:
-excerpt "Two Canes: On Family's Story" detailing Slaymaker family and history of this mourning ribbon
