Azores Capote
SOLD April 2014 |
Two CDV-format albumen prints showing caped and hooded female inhabitants of Fayal Island in the Azores, circa 1884 by L. P. S. Corea. Each with photographer's imprint on reverse reading "L. P. S. Corea / Photographer / Fayal" and a pencil notation reading in French "Acores 1884 Ile Fayal."
The sparsely-inhabited Azores are formerly unoccupied islands in the Atlantic, first colonized by the Portuguese in the 15th century. They served as a stepping stone to the discovery of the Americas further out in the Atlantic, and were a common way station for steamers crossing between America and Europe.
The "capote e capelo" evolved from unknown sources on the Islands, particularly Fayal, as a traditional local garment for women. It was generally blue and featured a gigantic hood, as shown in these CDVs.
