Images(2)

Pelisse

Dateca. 1820

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Halifax (potentially worn in)

MediumSilk, velvet

DimensionsOL 56 in.; Bust 30 ¾ in.; Waist 23 ½ in.

Credit LineGift of the Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2023-216

DescriptionGreen silk brocade pelisse. Silk woven with a floral pattern. The bodice, sleeves, and skirt are lined with changeable silk. Green silk used to partially line the bodice just above the waistband. The pelisse opens down the center front and closes with a series of thread covered wooden buttons and frog fastenings set in rows with green braid and tassels. The collar has decorative ruching and is trimmed with green braid and tassels. The center front opening and waistband are edged in green piping. The cuffs have dark green piping sewn at the hem and are trimmed with three rows of green silk piping. The center back bodice seams are trimmed with dark green piping. Braid and tassel loops are sewn on the center back at the waist. The hem is trimmed with a 7 ¼ inch border of cotton velvet printed with a feather pattern.Label TextEarly 19th century pelisses were worn by women, but they borrowed decorative motifs from men's military dress, like the rows of frogging (braided fasteners) seen here. The use of tassels, velvet trim, and bright colors were not unusual either. All together, these details make for an eye-catching pelisse, which may have been worn by a teenager in Halifax, VA.ProvenancePrior to 1975, passed down by descent to Adelaide Lewis (Lynchburg, VA); prior to 1975, passed down by descent to Dearing Lewis and Nancy Cary Lewis Dinwiddie; 1975 given to the Valentine Museum (Richmond, VA); 2023-present given to Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)