Bodice thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Bodice

1670-1690 (made)

A woman's bodice of white silk over linen, reinforced with whalebone, lined with white silk taffeta, the inside faced with a figured white silk ribbon. The bodice has a high wide neckline, long waist, pointed at front and back. There were probably sleeves, but these have been removed. There are 22 narrow laps (tabs) at the waist, each bound with white silk grosgrain ribbon. The bodice laces at the back with 18 lacing holes on either side. The white silk is embroidered with flowers in coloured silks and scrolls in couched silver strip.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silk, linen, whalebone, silk thread, linen thread, silver; hand-woven, hand embroidered, hand-sewn
Brief description
A woman's bodice, 1670-1690, Italian; white silk, embroidered with coloured silks and silver strip
Physical description
A woman's bodice of white silk over linen, reinforced with whalebone, lined with white silk taffeta, the inside faced with a figured white silk ribbon. The bodice has a high wide neckline, long waist, pointed at front and back. There were probably sleeves, but these have been removed. There are 22 narrow laps (tabs) at the waist, each bound with white silk grosgrain ribbon. The bodice laces at the back with 18 lacing holes on either side. The white silk is embroidered with flowers in coloured silks and scrolls in couched silver strip.
Dimensions
  • Overall, shoulder to centre front length: 52.0cm (approx)
  • At shoulders when flat width: 75.0cm (approx)
  • Bust below armholes circumference: 74.8cm (approx)
Production typeUnique
Object history
Purchased from Monsieur Fulgence, 75 Rue la Boëtie, Paris.
Subjects depicted
Collection
Accession number
20-1899

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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