Waistcoat
OriginEurope, Poland, Warsaw
MediumWool, silk, wood, linen
DimensionsCenter back: 21 inches
Center front: 20.75 inches
Chest: 38 inches
Waist: 35 inches
Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA
Object number2023-25
DescriptionGray green colored fulled twilled woolen waistcoat embroidered with silk threads. The embroidery resembles leaf and spot motifs. The front have two large cross or welt pockets with pocket bags made from white linen. Back is made from a natural linen with striations of dark and light natural colored linen yarns. At some point he center back was enlarged with a wedge down the middle of the back and the adjustable tapes removed. Interior is faced with a white twilled silk. The upper part of the front panel is faced with the same embroidered gray green cloth so it can turn back onto itself. The buttons and buttonhole are unusually closely spaced. Neck has a tall standing collar.Label TextThis waistcoat belonged to Lewis Littlepage of Virginia and was probably worn while he served as a Chamberlain and diplomat to the Court of Poland between 1785-1795.
ProvenanceThis waistcoat was worn by Lewis Little page (1762-1802) who was born in New Kent County, Virginia. Littlepage died in 1802, leaving his small estate to his stepbrother Waller Holladay. The surviving objects passed directly through the Holladay Family until gifted to the Valentine Museum in 1952 by Mr. and Mrs. A. Randolph Holladay II. In 2022, the objects were transferred to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
Inventories taken after his death list numerous waistcoats:
"Cloaths of Lewis Littlepage not to be found in his trunk...6 waistcoats - 5 mentioned in Mr. Stevenson's list"
"List of cloathes belonging to Lewis Littlepage thaken from the information of Jacob David Wacker, August 16, 1802....24 waistcoats at least"
"List of cloathes found in the trunk of Lewis Littlepage 19th day of August 1802...18 waistcoats"
"List of cloathes formerly the property of my brother Lewis Littlepage decd taken 31st Janaury 1804...8 waistcoats of different descriptions.....5 waistcoats (Court Dress)."
