Stays
DateCa. 1775
OriginEngland
MediumSilk (fabric, lining, thread), baleen (boning), linen (lining)
DimensionsWidth: 23"; Height: 10"; Waist: 18 1/2"; Chest: 21 1/2"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1994-27
DescriptionChild's stays of cream silk (ribbed tabby) lined with thin cream silk tabby. Stays are carefully stitched and boned, styled with back lacing eyelets and narrow shoulder straps. Boning channels are all backstiched. Ribbed silk binds the edges and cord trims the seams. Innerlining made of natural-color linen. A silk band is stitched at the waist inner side, probably for supporting a petticoat. The shoulder straps are sewn in to both the front and back, and are themselves boned. Construction History:
1.c.1775: Initial Construction
Label TextChildren wore stays shaped much like those of their adult counterparts. These child's stays are said to be from the collection of Anna Maria Dacres Adams, dresser and later wet nurse to the daughters of Britain's King George III.
ProvenanceProvenance listed in auction catalog, Christie's 16 November, 1993, states: "These were reputedly the property of Miss Anna Maria Dacres, later Mrs. Adams , Dresser and later wet nurse to the daughters of George III. These corsets are so finely made that it seems most probable they were made for one of the princesses. The unifinished corset (2) is inscribed four times PE."
It is possible that Miss Anna Maria Dacres and Mrs. Adams were actually sisters rather than the same person.
