-
Formal ensemble
unknown - Enlarge image
Formal ensemble
- Place of origin:
France (woven)
UK (made) - Date:
ca. 1760 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
unknown (production)
- Materials and Techniques:
Cut, uncut and voided silk velvet, with silver strip ground, lined with satin, backed with linen, hand-sewn
- Museum number:
657 to B-1898
- Gallery location:
In store
This formal man’s suit of about 1760 is made from cut and uncut yellow and purple silk velvet with a ground enriched with silver strip. The fabric was probably made in France. Such a luxurious material would have been worn for the most formal evening occasions, for example visiting the theatre or the opera. As with all formal men’s wear, it was worn with lace ruffles at the wrists and throat. By 1760 the fronts of the coat are starting to curve back. The side pleats are less voluminous than they were earlier in the century. The waistcoat has shortened to mid-thigh length.
