Waistcoat
Date1785-1795
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 number2023-26
DescriptionBuff colored fulled twilled woolen waistcoat embroidered with silk threads. The embroidery resembles geometric patterns and egg and dart like motifs. The front has two large cross or welt pockets with pocket bags made from white linen. Back and its lining 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 buff cloth so it can turn back onto it self. 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.
InscribedFound in the pocket was a piece of paper that reads ""si vous dedaignez mon vin je serais au désespoir" or "If you disdain my wine, I'll be in dispair"
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)."
