Coat thumbnail 1
Coat thumbnail 2
+1
images
Not currently on display at the V&A

Coat

1775 - 1780 (embroidery), 1775 - 80 (sewing), 1850 - 1910 (altered)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

A man's coat of red velvet. The coat has a round neckline. The curved, two-piece sleeves end above the wrist with round cuffs. The coat fronts curve from neck to hem with skirts below the hip set in pleats at the side back. There is a scalloped pocket flap on each front at hip level. The coat is embroidered to shape with a applied scalloped band of light green silk, overlaid with warp-frame net and embroidered with silk thread, paste and silver spangles. The embroidery edges the fronts, around the pockets, the pocket flaps, the cuffs and back opening of the skirts. Silver spangles decorate the red velvet ground.

The coat appears to have been heavily altered in the late 19th century, probably for theatrical use. The original embroidered-to-shape standing collar was removed and an extra piece (all additions were possibly from a waistcoat of the same fabric and embroidery) added, and the collar reversed and resewn to make a flat collar. The cuffs were detached and narrowed, the sleeve lengthened, and the cuffs resewn. The coat was lengthened at the hem with additional pieces of the velvet and embroidery, and the skirts narrowed. The pocket linings were removed and the pockets stitched up. The original lining and interlining were replaced and spangles and pastes resewn or replaced.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silk, linen, silk thread, linen thread, silver spangles, glass paste; hand-woven velvet, hand-embroidered, hand-sewn
Brief description
A man's coat, 1775-1780, French or English; Red velvet, embroidered-to-shape, sequins, pastes, applied net, French, 1775-80; altered 1850-1910
Physical description
A man's coat of red velvet. The coat has a round neckline. The curved, two-piece sleeves end above the wrist with round cuffs. The coat fronts curve from neck to hem with skirts below the hip set in pleats at the side back. There is a scalloped pocket flap on each front at hip level. The coat is embroidered to shape with a applied scalloped band of light green silk, overlaid with warp-frame net and embroidered with silk thread, paste and silver spangles. The embroidery edges the fronts, around the pockets, the pocket flaps, the cuffs and back opening of the skirts. Silver spangles decorate the red velvet ground.

The coat appears to have been heavily altered in the late 19th century, probably for theatrical use. The original embroidered-to-shape standing collar was removed and an extra piece (all additions were possibly from a waistcoat of the same fabric and embroidery) added, and the collar reversed and resewn to make a flat collar. The cuffs were detached and narrowed, the sleeve lengthened, and the cuffs resewn. The coat was lengthened at the hem with additional pieces of the velvet and embroidery, and the skirts narrowed. The pocket linings were removed and the pockets stitched up. The original lining and interlining were replaced and spangles and pastes resewn or replaced.
Dimensions
  • Top of collar to hem at right front length: 108.0cm (approx)
  • Chest under armholes circumference: 96.0cm (approx)
Production typeUnique
Credit line
Given by Messrs. Harrods
Object history
Part of the Talbot Hughes collection
Collection
Accession number
T.723-1913

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

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest