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Supportasse

Supportasse

  • Place of origin:

    England, Great Britain (made)

  • Date:

    1600-1625 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Linen, silk, whalebone, card, wire, and linen thread, hand-sewn

  • Museum number:

    T.62-1910

  • Gallery location:

    In store

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During the early 17th century, formal neckwear such as ruffs and starched collars needed support. Flat collars and the wide circles of gathered linen that made up ruffs had to be held up at the back of the neck in order to frame the face properly. A variety of materials were used to make such supports; this example is made of linen reinforced with whalebone, card and wire. It is open in front, probably intended for a woman’s low-necked gown or bodice. Such supports were called by a range of different names: ‘supportasse’ (a French term), underpropper, pickadil or rebato (an Italian name).

Physical description

An open supportasse made in two layers. Top layer is two pieces of blue linen stitched and reinforced with whalebone radiating from neck to outer edge, which is bound with pale yellow silk grosgrain ribbon. Bottom layer of blue linen is reinforced with card and wire along the outer edge. Both layers attached and bound at neck with a strip of blue linen, with extends at front edges to form ties.

Place of Origin

England, Great Britain (made)

Date

1600-1625 (made)

Artist/maker

unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Linen, silk, whalebone, card, wire, and linen thread, hand-sewn

Dimensions

Width: 41.0 cm, Depth: 26.0 cm, Height: 0.4 cm

Materials

Card; Linen thread; Linen (material); Wire; Baleen; Ribbon, silk

Techniques

Hand sewing

Categories

Clothing

Collection code

T&D

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Qr_O137834
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