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zibellino

The zibellino is a historical fashion accessory from Italy and early modern Europe. It refers to a small fur patch or pouch, usually made from sable or other luxury fur, worn by noblewomen from the late Renaissance through the Baroque period. The zibellino was typically attached to the bodice or décolletage, sometimes positioned at the chest or shoulder, and could be shaped as a patch, a small animal figure, or an ornamental form.

Aside from its decorative function, the zibellino often carried symbolic value as a display of wealth and

Origins and spread: the practice originated in Italian court circles and spread to other European courts, including

Decline: the zibellino fell out of favor by the late 18th century as clothing silhouettes and accessory

See also: sable fur, fur fashion, historical accessories.

refined
taste.
Many
examples
were
elaborately
worked
with
embroidery,
gold
or
jeweled
settings,
and
varied
in
size
and
shape.
Some
zibellini
incorporated
a
perfume
sachet
or
pad
beneath
the
fur,
intended
to
release
fragrance
when
worn,
adding
a
sensory
dimension
to
the
accessory.
France
and
Spain,
where
it
was
fashionable
among
aristocracy.
It
appears
in
portraits
and
garments
of
the
period
as
a
distinctive
indicator
of
status
and
fashion.
conventions
changed
with
new
stylistic
movements.
Today
it
is
studied
as
a
characteristic
example
of
early
modern
luxury
textiles
and
courtly
culture.