Images(2)

Pleated Tunic

Date1852-1855

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Madison County

MediumCotton, silk, copper alloy (brass)

DimensionsChest: 20 inches Waist: 20 inches Center back: 9 inches Center front 8 ½ inches

Credit LineGift of Katey Frere, Jenna Goodman and Robert Goodman

Object number2022.1004.1

DescriptionA boys pleated front tunic made with a blue cotton exterior and lined with a plain white cotton. The seams around the armscye, waist, and neck are piped with matching blue cotton. The tunic closes down center front with five brass ball buttons which are corded to attach on the interior. Six vertical buttonholes go around the waist of the tunic which would have buttoned to the trousers.
Label TextDuring the second half of the 19th century, boys wore various styles of tunics. This pleated example was worn by young Joshua Frye when sitting for his portrait in the 1850s. It is a rare chance to see how an artist interpreted clothing in the canvas compared to the actual garment.
ProvenanceKatey Frere (Altadena, CA); 2022-present, given to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)