Stays
Date1740-1760
OriginAmerica (probably)
MediumLinen (fabric, thread), cane and wood (boning), leather (binding).
DimensionsWAIST:24"; BUST:APPROX. 32"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1935-96
DescriptionWoman's or boy's stays of natural-color linen, boned with wood or reed and bound with leather. Stays are styled with cone-shaped body, very stiffened at the center front, and dip to a rounded point at the front. There are no shoulder straps. The stays fasten at the center back with lacing eyelets. They are sewn with linen that creates channels for boning, with center-back dowels at the lacing points. Linen lining. Center front is stiffened with extra horizontal wooden stays at bust and midriff, fastened in place to lining. (Bust stays or stiffeners are missing, but holders remain in place.)Label TextMost stays have tabs at the waist. It is not known why these stays are made without tabs (or the tabs have been removed). It is possible they were altered for a boy's use; Diderot's Encyclopedie shows boys' stays made without tabs.
ProvenanceIt is possible the stays have an American history, based on the fact that they were purchased from Stephen Van Rensselaer.
