Waistcoat
Date1730-1740, altered 1750-1765
OriginEngland
MediumCotton embroidered with linen through backing of plain-woven cotton; plain-woven linen waistcoat back; plain-woven cotton lining.
DimensionsOL: 28"; width across shoulders: 14 3/4"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1960-700
DescriptionMan's sleeveless and collarless waistcoat of white cotton densely embroidered with white linen thread in design that entirely covers the fronts. Embroidery consists of flowers and leaves using drawn work fillings, French knots, satin stitches, buttonhole stitches, and couched cords. Fronts of waistcoat are slightly curved back and are buttoned with 17 thread-covered buttons, each 1/2-inch in diameter. Shaped pocket flaps cover functional pockets. Skirted back sections are made of plain natural linen with eyelets forming laced expansion gussett down the center back. Cotton lining, with a flap of lining fabric behind the ends of the buttonholes to keep a white shirt from showing through when waistcoat is buttoned. Label TextThis waistcoat has been altered to extend its useful life. A wedge was removed from above each pocket flap to imitate the cutaway shape that became fashionable later in the eighteenth century. A long dart in the lining from underarm seam over to the front edge corresponds with the wedge-shape cutout of the face fabric. Added sections under the arms expanded the girth for a heavier man. The eyelet-laced back probably dates to above alterations.
ProvenanceEx Coll: Doris Langley Moore.
