Shirt, Ruffled Linen
DateEighteenth century
OriginGreat Britain
MediumLinen
DimensionsOL: 37 1/2 in.; Neck opening approximately 14 in.; Linen selvage width 29 in.
Credit LineMuseum Purchase, The Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Fund
Object number2024-240,2
DescriptionMan's or boy's shirt of white linen. The shirt has a 3 1/4-inch collar closed with two thread "Dorset" buttons and buttonholes positioned close to the front neck opening, which extends down 9 3/4 inches. The collar is of finer linen than the shirt body, which is full and straight, finely gathered into the collar and small neck gussets on either side. Narrow reinforcement bands are stitched at the top of the shoulders and serve as backing where the upper sleeves are stitched to the shirt body. Long sleeves are gathered to the body of the shirt in finely controlled tiny pleats (gauging) concentrated at the top of the arm. The sleeves have gussets under the arms and end in very narrow (1/2-inch) sleeve bands that are finished with two-inch finer linen ruffles that narrow and extend up the sleeve opening. Two buttonholes in each sleeve band are intended for cuff links or "sleeve buttons". The lower body has vent openings on either side topped by small gussets. The hem is turned and stitched. The shirt is marked on the proper right hip 8 over H in dark blue cross stitches.Label Text18th century shirts are very rare survivors. Shirts from this period have unique features such as full sleeves, narrow wristbands, and narrow shoulder straps across the top of the shirt. This garment was the under most garment that a man wore daily. It would have been regularly cleaned, washed, starched, and blued to maintain its crisp white appearance.Mark(s)8 / H Marked in small cross stitches on proper right hipProvenancePrior to 2024, Mark Wallis (England); 2024 purchased by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)
