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Pair of waistcoat panels

Pair of waistcoat panels

  • Place of origin:

    France (made)

  • Date:

    late 18th century (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Unknown (production)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Embroidered silk satin with silks and chenille, net

  • Credit Line:

    Given by Dr Margery Simmons

  • Museum number:

    T.26&A-1961

  • Gallery location:

    In Storage

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Fashionable embroideries of the late 18th century were usually worked to create a very smooth, flat appearance, alleviated in this instance by the use of applied net and by small amounts of chenille thread (in the W-shapes which form part of the ground pattern). French embroidered waistcoats were very popular in England and the Exchequer Records in the Public Records Office refer to many instances of French waistcoat panels being smuggled across the Channel to avoid paying duty.

Waistcoat panels were embroidered to shape; the areas of undecorated silk allowed the waistcoat to be cut and fitted to whatever size was required. In this panel the pocket flap was embroidered in the upper right hand corner and was then cut out, hemmed and stitched into place.

Physical description

Pair of men's unused waistcoat panels of embroidered silk satin with silks. Ivory satin embroidered in coloured silks and white chenille in satin and stem stitches and French knots with applied brown satin and net. With a plain mauve edging with formalised leaves growing at intervals with centres of applied satin and net with chenille embroidery and the serrated edges in green silk in satin stitch. From the leaves spring, alternately, a spray of tulips, forget-me-knots and bell-like flowers, and a small spray of pink and white four-petalled flowers. The pocket flap is similarly decorated. The main area is ornamented with an all-over pattern of formal mauve and blue leaves and 'W' motifs worked in white chenille.
[Waistcoat panel] Panel with thirteen buttonholes down the edge, and not cut out but outlined in couched white thread.
[Waistcoat panel] Panel with thirteen roundels at the top left for cover buttons, and each are worked to contain a delicate spray of blue leaves within a mauve circle.

Place of Origin

France (made)

Date

late 18th century (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Embroidered silk satin with silks and chenille, net

Marks and inscriptions

[Waistcoat panel] 'No.4966 o.y.n.'
[Waistcoat panel] 'No.4966'

Dimensions

Length: 80.5 cm each, Width: 51 cm each, Length: 31.75 in each, Width: 19.75 in each

Descriptive line

Pair of men's unused waistcoat panels of embroidered silk satin with silks, France, late 18th century

Materials

Silk; Satin; Net; Chenille

Techniques

Embroidered

Subjects depicted

Flowers

Categories

Textiles; Embroidery; Fashion; Men's clothes

Collection code

T&F

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Qr_O15320
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