Stays
Date1760-1770
MediumLinen, baleen
DimensionsCenter front: 7 inches
Center back: 8 ¾ inches
Waist: 17.5 inches
Bust: 19 inches
Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA
Object number2023-49
DescriptionA pair of child’s stays. Appears to be at least 6 layers of linen (exterior, 4 layers of a darker natural linen, and lining). The stays are made of a total of 6 panels and spiral lace up the back. The edges of the panels and the seams are bound or covered in stay tape. Each panel is backstitched to create channels. Very fine black baleen is inserted into each of the channels.Label TextChildren, both boys and girls, began to wear stays very early in their lives. Boys left off wearing their stays by the time they were fully potty trained while girls wore various forms of stays for the rest of their lives. Stays as an adult supported the bust and back. This pair of stays was probably made in Virginia and worn by Mary Quarles Reins (1762-1814) of King William County, Virginia.
InscribedAppears to be a pencil inscription on the interior lining
ProvenanceNotes from The Valentine show that this pair of stays was collected by the donors great grandmother Jane Chandler Reins Jones (1824-1867). If these passed through the family, the stays would have probably been worn by Jane Jones's grandmother, Mary Quarles Reins (1762-1814) of King William County, Virginia.
