Waistcoat
Date1790-1820
MediumSilk, cotton, linen ties.
DimensionsOL front: 22 1/2"; Standing collar: 2 5/8"
Credit LineGift of Mr. Mark Clark.
Object number1971-429
DescriptionWaistcoat for formal court suit, worn with blue velvet coat 1971-433. Waistcoat is made of white silk embroidered with silk, primarily in satin stitch, stem stitch, couched chenille, and French knots in colors of mauve, purple, yellow, orange, red, shaded olive greens, and black. Embroidered flowers and abstract orange cone or seed pod shapes concentrate at the fronts, collar, and pocket flaps. Remainder of ground embellished with evenly spaced scattered buds and spiky leaves. High standing collar and front closure with nine embroidered buttons (of which 7 buttonholes are cut open and functional). Shaped pocket flaps are decorative and sewn down without functional pockets beneath. Waistcoat back constructed of ivory cotton with center vent and adjusted by two sets of linen ties. Facings of twilled silk. Linings of ivory tabby cotton. Note: the primary silk textile is woven with vertical ribbed effect, sometimes called "warp wale".
