Waistcoat
Date1760-1770
MediumSilk damask, glazed worsted wool (calimanco), plain-woven cotton, buckram, buttons, possibly made of bone (eleven, fabric covered to match)
Dimensions1. Waistcoat:
Center Front: 24 1/4" (neck to hem), 19 1/2" (neck to waist)
Center Back: 21 3/4" (neck to vent), 25 1/2 (neck to hem)
Waist: approximately 38"
Chest: approximately 40"
2. Box 8 1/2" W X 15" L X 2 1/2" H
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number2011-22,1&2
Description1) Man's sleeveless waistcoat of crimson silk damask, backed with crimson glazed worsted wool, or calimanco. Waistcoat is made of Chinese damask in a pattern of flowers and berries on scrolling stems. Collarless neckline and front opening, fastened closed with eleven fabric-covered buttons and worked buttonholes. Shaped pocket flaps with glazed worsted linings cover functional white cotton pockets. Lower front of waistcoat is cut away in V. The upper back interior is lined with white plain-woven cotton, signed in ink near the shoulder "Lippett." Construction Details: The backing of the garment was constructed of crimson glazed worsted wool, or calimanco; the center back seam is finished, possibly with a backstitch. The lining for this piece was constructed separately of white cotton, the center back seam was finished, and then the cotton lining was whipped to the calimanco. The tails were lined with the calimanco. Lining for the center front panels was constructed of the crimson calimanco and then felled to the back panels. This lining was then secured to the crimson silk damask, and a spaced backstitch was used to finish. Eleven buttonholes were constructed, and eleven buttons, possibly made of bone, were secured and fabric covered to match; a dark buckram buttonstand was added underneath to provide support, and secured with either a running or backstitch. Backstitching was used at the neck to provide extra support. Piecing is found at the ends of the skirts.
2) Cardboard box of brown paperboard, stamped in gilt letters, "Gladding's/ Established over a Century/ Providence." A hand-written sticker on the box top reads, "Col. Christopher Lippitt's/ Vest--/ Bought from Clarence W. Lippitt's widow/ Oct. 1927."
Label TextThis waistcoat is said to have belonged to Col. Christopher Lippitt. That was probably Christopher Lippitt (1744-1824), the son of Christopher Lippitt (1712-1764). Col. Lippitt (the son) was a Revolutionary War Officer. According to the vendor, Lippitt, his brother, and 4 other men organized a cotton mill under the name, "Lippitt Manufacturing Company," which became a major cotton manufacturer during the nineteenth century.
ProvenanceAccording to the written history on a ca. 1927 box, the waistcoat belonged to Col. Christopher Lippitt. It was purchased from Clarence Lippitt's widow. Christopher Lippitt of Rhode Island served in the military: Lieutenant-Colonel of Babcock's Rhode Island State Regiment, 15th January, 1776; Colonel of the same regiment May to June, 1776; Colonel 2d Rhode Island Militia regiment, 19th August, 1776, to 18th January, 1777; served subsequently as Brigadier-General Rhode Island Militia. (Died 18th June, 1824.) Source: Francis B. Heitman, Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army during the War of the Revolution (1914, revised and reprinted, 1982).
