ABSTRACT
Throughout the early modern period, textile objects from garters to gowns provided a fertile site for the negotiation of emotions through the material world. Understanding the emotional ‘work’ performed by textiles as a source relies upon the interdisciplinary methodologies for studying material culture, considering both objects themselves and how they acquired meaning.1 This entry will outline some methods and methodologies for uncovering emotional meaning in textiles, considering when and how emotional intent was conferred, and how it can be interpreted by scholars. It will uncover the possibilities offered by garments, accessories and decorative textiles for emotions analysis by exploring their creation, exchange and display in early modern Europe.
