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Doublet and Breeches

1635-1640 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This splendid quilted doublet of the late 1630s has clearly been fashioned from another textile, probably a bed cover. Seams that do not follow the construction of the doublet and the varying directions of the quilted pattern are clues to this reuse. Nevertheless, great care was taken to incorporate the original design into the doublet in a symmetrical fashion and to show the quilting to best effect. A braid of knotted and tufted silk was added to the finished doublet and twelve large bows of silk ribbon adorn the waist.

The full knee-length breeches are typical of men’s dress of the 1630s. The doublet has a waist line slightly above the natural level, open front seams on the sleeves and bears large waist tabs, also characteristic of the period.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Doublet
  • Breeches
Materials and techniques
Ivory satin, quilted, with applied silk braid
Brief description
Man's doublet and breeches of cream-coloured quilted satin, 1635-40, English

Physical description
Ivory satin, lined with silk and satin, quilted in a diaper and floral design with applied silk braid
Dimensions
  • Taken from bg database; needs checking height: 68.8cm
  • Taken from bg database; needs checking width: 154.9cm
Gallery label
Treasures of the Royal Courts: Tudors, Stuarts and the Russian Tsars label text: Doublet and breeches 1630s Whereas earlier styles created a fashionable silhouette with a small torso and broad padded hips, in the 1630s men’s fashion brought a more natural shape to the figure. Large bows of silk ribbon at the waistband would once have held doublet and breeches together. In this new Jacobean style, the bows are purely decorative. England Silk satin, quilted V&A 347&A-1905
Summary
This splendid quilted doublet of the late 1630s has clearly been fashioned from another textile, probably a bed cover. Seams that do not follow the construction of the doublet and the varying directions of the quilted pattern are clues to this reuse. Nevertheless, great care was taken to incorporate the original design into the doublet in a symmetrical fashion and to show the quilting to best effect. A braid of knotted and tufted silk was added to the finished doublet and twelve large bows of silk ribbon adorn the waist.

The full knee-length breeches are typical of men’s dress of the 1630s. The doublet has a waist line slightly above the natural level, open front seams on the sleeves and bears large waist tabs, also characteristic of the period.
Collection
Accession number
347&A-1905

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Record createdAugust 30, 2005
Record URL
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