Corset
ca. 1900 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Pair of corsets, possibly for maternity, made of cream cotton with red machine-embroidered trim. Trimmed at the top with a scallop edged tape. Made in four parts, they fasten at the front with a busk with five white metal loops and studs, and at the back they have 17 sets of white-metal bound eyelets for a lace. At each side there are 12 further sets of metal bound eyelets which fasten with elasticated laces. There is a vertical opening at the bust which fastens with three bronze gilt press studs, clamped into the fabric, and a diamond pattern impressed on the head which shows on the face of the fabric. On the reverse of the stud is a mark. The corsets reach from the bust to the middle of the hip descending to a point at about the middle of the belly in the centre front. They are machine-stitched and seem lightly boned, encased and sewn to the face of the fabric. Bound at the top and bottom with grey tape. The breast gussets and side lacing suggest this is a maternity corset.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
Materials and techniques | Embroidered cotton, and metal and boning |
Brief description | Pair of corsets of embroidered cotton, possibly made in England or Germany, c.1900 |
Physical description | Pair of corsets, possibly for maternity, made of cream cotton with red machine-embroidered trim. Trimmed at the top with a scallop edged tape. Made in four parts, they fasten at the front with a busk with five white metal loops and studs, and at the back they have 17 sets of white-metal bound eyelets for a lace. At each side there are 12 further sets of metal bound eyelets which fasten with elasticated laces. There is a vertical opening at the bust which fastens with three bronze gilt press studs, clamped into the fabric, and a diamond pattern impressed on the head which shows on the face of the fabric. On the reverse of the stud is a mark. The corsets reach from the bust to the middle of the hip descending to a point at about the middle of the belly in the centre front. They are machine-stitched and seem lightly boned, encased and sewn to the face of the fabric. Bound at the top and bottom with grey tape. The breast gussets and side lacing suggest this is a maternity corset. |
Dimensions |
|
Marks and inscriptions |
|
Gallery label | Maternity wear
Corsets designed for pregnancy and nursing were advertised throughout the 19th century.
This maternity corset is a typical example. It is constructed like a fashionable corset, with boning and a central busk. It has side laces, to enable the wearer to adjust the corset to her changing figure. The cups can be opened for breastfeeding by releasing the press studs.
Maternity corset
Britain or Germany, about 1900
Cotton twill, metal busk, boning, elastic side laces and machine-embroidered trimming
V&A: T.98&A-1984
Given by the family of Myer Yanovsky
(16/04/2016-12/03/2017) |
Credit line | Given by M. Yanovsky |
Collection | |
Accession number | T.98&A-1984 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest