Waistcoat
Date1730-1750
OriginEurope
MediumSilk velvet, uncut and voided, buckram, silk, linen, linen thread, nineteen buttons (fabric covered to match).
DimensionsPanel A (left front): 19" (neck to waist), 29" (neck to hem)
Panel B (right front): 19" (neck to waist), 29" (neck to hem)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1996-805,2A&B
DescriptionMan's waistcoat from suit that is taken apart. Made of purple-red silk uncut and voided velvet in pattern of diagonally crossing leaves, forming framework for white stylized flower heads. Waistcoat is now in two pieces: A. Left front, shaped for waistcoat that was collarless and sleeveless; fragment of binding tacked at neckline. B. Sleeveless piece with shaped pocket flaps and wide skirts. No backing survives. A straight pin was found in panel A.Construction Details: Panel A, the left front, is constructed of the purple-red silk. A running stitch of linen thread was used to finish the garment. A buttonstand constructed of natural linen was added for support and is secured with both running and whip stitches. There are nineteen buttons, fabric covered to match, stitched down the front. Cream buckram was also used to support the upper half of the center front. Panel B, the right front, was constructed of the same silk and was finished with a running stitch. A dark buckram buttonstand is used to support the upper center front, while a cream buckram panel is used to support the rest of the length. This cream buckram was reused from another garment, as remnants of buttonholes can be seen. There are nineteen worked buttonholes, as well as the remnants of a twentieth at the bottom; this means the garment may have been altered to be shorter. A pocket is included on either panel, secured with running stitches and backstitches, and reinforced with dark linen. Both panels may have originally been lined with silk twill, which would have later been removed.
Construction History:
Ca 1745: The garment is originally constructed, possibly including a silk lining.
Post 1745: The garment is deconstructed and possibly altered. The lining is removed, as is the back of the garment.
