Waistcoat

DateEmbroidery 1730-1750, made up 1830-1850

MediumSilk; silk needlework; cotton padding; cotton insets at shoulders; silk twill back; linen tape ties (replaced).

DimensionsOL: front 18 1/4"; 2" wide tapered collar

Credit LineGift of Mr. Mark Clark.

Object number1971-428

DescriptionMan's sleeveless waistcoat of ivory silk satin embroidered with silk floss in colors of mauves, blues, yellow, olive green, and brown. Floral meander design concentrated on collar, down fronts, and on hem; field has scattered dot and flower pattern. Waistcoat styled with rolled and padded shawl collar, stitched down and straight hem. Four buttons with 5 buttonholes; one uncut. Back and linings of ivory twilled silk. Back has linen tape adjusting ties over original silk tape ties, now missing. No pockets. Waistcoat shows evidence of alterations: bottom edges shortened and hem faced with embroidery removed and reapplied; collar pieced; machine stitching around armholes and back of neck.

Construction History:
1. Date Unknown- bottom edge shortened, embroidery border removed and re-applied
2. Date Unknown- Silk ties replaced with linen tapes.
3. Date Unknown- collar altered
4. Date Unknown- machine stitching