Images(3)

Waistcoat

Date1785-1795

OriginEurope, Poland, Warsaw

MediumSilk, linen, wood, gold, silver, paper

DimensionsCenter front: 21 inches Center back: 23.75 inches Chest: 37 inches Waist: 34 inches

Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2023-27

DescriptionSingle breasted silk waistcoat made from white silk with applied ribbons to create stripes doing down the front. Large floral sprays embroidered with silk and metal threads go down the center front of the waistcoat and along the hem. A short standing collar sits around the neck. Neoclassical sweeps of gold and silver spangles and paste stones adorn above and below the welted pockets. Two functioning welted or cross pockets are on the front panels. The back, made from linen, has been worked with eyelets to adjust size, along with three sets of ties. Interior fronts of the waistcoat are lined with a twilled white silk.

Construction History:
1) Initital construction, 1785-1790
2) Sides let out, ca. 1790

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)."