Theatre Costume thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Theatre Costume

mid 18th century
Place of origin

Skirt worn in private court theatre performances at the Meleto Castle, Tuscany, ca. 1750. Pale salmon gold tinsel brocade skirt with silver braid decoration and metal tassels at hem.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Skirt of salmon gold tinsel brocade with silver braid worn in private court theatre performances at the Meleto Castle, Tuscany, ca. 1750
Physical description
Skirt worn in private court theatre performances at the Meleto Castle, Tuscany, ca. 1750. Pale salmon gold tinsel brocade skirt with silver braid decoration and metal tassels at hem.
Dimensions
  • Waist to hem, including braid trim length: 48cm
  • Widest part, from side to side width: 50cm
Object history
This costume comes from Meleto Castle in Tuscany, where there is a private theatre, which was opened in 1741. It is a very early example of a costume made specially for the stage and, although probably used in productions of plays, it was also undoubtedly used for masques and other entertainments which included dancing.

Sarah Woodcock & Philip Dyer, 1981.

Textiles Department of the V&A have confirmed that both fabric and embroidery cannot de dated more precisely that mid 18th century
Bibliographic reference
Inaugural Conference for the Ricasoli Collection Patrons, Politics, Music and Art in Italy, 1738-1859. University of Louisville, March 14-18, 1989
Collection
Accession number
S.797-1982

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Record createdJune 17, 2004
Record URL
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