Waistcoat
Dateca. 1760
OriginEngland, Nottinghamshire
MediumWool, linen, silk, leather, gold, and wood
DimensionsWaistcoat:
Chest: 43 inches
Waist: 40 inches
Overall Length at Back: 22.5 inches
Overall Front: 33.25 inches
Credit LineMuseum Purchase, The Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Fund
Object number2022-38,2
DescriptionThe matching waistcoat is lined at the center back with a slightly napped fustian. The fronts and lower rear skirts are only faced in the matching white twilled silk seen throughout the garments. The sides of the skirts on the back panel are turned. Like the coat, the waistcoat is fulled mounted in gold. The pocket bags are made from a natural colored linen.Label TextBroadcloth suits were a staple of American and British wardrobes. This suit descends through the White family of Nottinghamshire, England. While it came to auction with several garments belonging to Sir Thomas Woollaston White (1767-1817), stylistically it dates earlier. It may have belonged to his father, Lt. Col. Taylor White (1743-1795) or Grandfather Taylor White (1701-1772). His grandfather was a fellow of the Royal Society, acted as treasurer of the Foundling Hospital, and active Naturalist with over 900 watercolor images located in the collection of McGill University. The White's family seat is known as Wallingwells.
