Victorian Coffins

When you think about coffins during the Victorian era, what probably comes to mind are the safety coffins that were designed to prevent accidentally being buried alive. This was a fear shared by people during the cholera epidemic when one could be presumed dead even if you were still breathing. Different designs were patented during this time with built-in bells and an air-tube to prevent a person from suffocating and being able to call for help if they are buried by accident.

An Overview of Victorian Coffins

For most people, Victorian coffins are a throwback to an era where refinement and elegance were celebrated. Even the final resting place of the dead was not spared from extravagant adornment and embellishment. These days you can find images of Victorian coffins in art as well as on film. Because they are more interesting to look at than standard caskets, it is no wonder that this image has been taken as inspiration for so many paintings and other printed media.

Victorian Coffins As Design Inspirations

Although others might find it odd to get inspiration from Victorian coffins, but designers have done just that over the years. Nowadays, it is not surprising to find Gothic elements in some homes wherein a coffin serves as an accent piece or even as the main focal point of a room. Aside from being used as an alternative to a bed (sans the lid of course), Victorian coffins are also being used as tables, storage boxes (the new hope chest), couches, and what have you. The hanging coffin is in fact very popular for use in the kitchen as a replacement for overhead cupboards. The unique shape and design of the coffin make it a popular choice among designers to make an impact. Some stores have even incorporated Victorian coffins in their décor, using them as display cases for accessories.

Gothic Fashion And Victorian Coffins

Thanks to Japanese street styles, we are now gaining access to different fashion substyles that give us a chance to embrace a new look. One of these is the Gothic Lolita substyle; this fashion movement takes heavy inspiration from religious icons and Victorian images. It is a dark, yet elegant look that appeals to many. A pioneer of this culture would be the brand Moi Meme Moitie which was founded by a Visual Kei musician from the band Malice Mizer. Black and Blue are the favored color schemes here with intricate prints of church gates, crosses, and religious symbolism. Accessories carry the same dark theme with bat and coffin-shaped bags as well as the various cross iterations that you can see from their jewelry. Roses are also a common theme in Gothic fashion but they are hardly ever used as the main image for a print. One of the best-selling dresses in Gothic Lolita is Vampire Requiem. This dress features a border print with Victorian coffins and roses. Due to its success, other brands have started to follow suit and come out with their own variations on the Victorian coffin theme.