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Doublet and Breeches

1620s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Doublet and breeches for a small of carnation pink silk taffeta. The doublet is interlined with linen and lined with ivory silk taffeta, pinked in a pattern of spiralling scrolls. It has a 13/16–inch (2 cm) standing collar, curving 2-piece sleeves, with a slightly pointed waist and 8 shallow laps. The inside sleeve seams are open; the wrist opening and sleeve ends are bound with narrow carnation pink grosgrain ribbon and they fold back over the wrists. The soft belly pieces under the lining are probably made of layers of linen. There are 3 buttonholes worked with pink silk twist and silver filé on each sleeve, 14 on the left front and 2 button loops of braided silk and silver filé thread on the left side of the collar. The buttons have a shaped wooden core covered with silver filé; 20 remain. Each lap has 7 ‘blind’ worked eyelets for decorative points. Inside at the waist seam are 6 tabs of silk each with a metal eye.

The doublet was altered, probably shortly after making to accommodate a growing boy or a younger brother. The side back seams were let out, the laps at centre back extended on one side and the two loops with eyes at the back replaced.

The breeches are made of the same carnation taffeta, interlined with linen and lined with ivory silk taffeta. The legs are gathered only at the waist. There is a pocket opening on each front, edged with 5/16-inch (8 mm) wide carnation pink silk grosgrain ribbon, with carnation taffeta pocket bags. The breeches fasten with worked buttonhole and large silver filé covered button on the waistband, a button stand with 6 worked buttonholes and 6 small silver filé covered buttons. Six metal hooks are sewn to the waistband.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Doublet
  • Breeches
Materials and techniques
Silk, linen, silver; hand-woven, hand-sewn
Brief description
Doublet and breeches for a small boy, 1620s, English; Carnation pink silk taffeta
Physical description
Doublet and breeches for a small of carnation pink silk taffeta. The doublet is interlined with linen and lined with ivory silk taffeta, pinked in a pattern of spiralling scrolls. It has a 13/16–inch (2 cm) standing collar, curving 2-piece sleeves, with a slightly pointed waist and 8 shallow laps. The inside sleeve seams are open; the wrist opening and sleeve ends are bound with narrow carnation pink grosgrain ribbon and they fold back over the wrists. The soft belly pieces under the lining are probably made of layers of linen. There are 3 buttonholes worked with pink silk twist and silver filé on each sleeve, 14 on the left front and 2 button loops of braided silk and silver filé thread on the left side of the collar. The buttons have a shaped wooden core covered with silver filé; 20 remain. Each lap has 7 ‘blind’ worked eyelets for decorative points. Inside at the waist seam are 6 tabs of silk each with a metal eye.

The doublet was altered, probably shortly after making to accommodate a growing boy or a younger brother. The side back seams were let out, the laps at centre back extended on one side and the two loops with eyes at the back replaced.

The breeches are made of the same carnation taffeta, interlined with linen and lined with ivory silk taffeta. The legs are gathered only at the waist. There is a pocket opening on each front, edged with 5/16-inch (8 mm) wide carnation pink silk grosgrain ribbon, with carnation taffeta pocket bags. The breeches fasten with worked buttonhole and large silver filé covered button on the waistband, a button stand with 6 worked buttonholes and 6 small silver filé covered buttons. Six metal hooks are sewn to the waistband.
Dimensions
  • Doublet, overall length: 27.5cm (appro)
  • Doublet, chest under armholes circumference: 55.0cm (approx)
  • Breeches, overall length: 32.5cm (approx)
  • Breeches, waist circumference: 49.0cm (approx)
Collection
Accession number
T.145&A-1937

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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