Theatre Costume thumbnail 1
Theatre Costume thumbnail 2
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Not on display

This object consists of 3 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Theatre Costume

19th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Unknown (maker)

Clown costume worn by Whimsical Walker (Thomas Dawson), comprising a loose top and pantaloons and one shoe rosette. The top of royal blue fine wool with full gathered sleeves, appliqued with red, yellow and brown wool in the shape of clown heads with hats, facial features and make-up. At the neck, sleeves and waist are deep single frills of off-white cotton twill edged with a broad line of blue and red braid. Worn with full length voluminous pantaloons of royal blue fine wool appliqued with clown heads, attached to a low necked sleeveless top of off-white cotton. The shoe rosette of white, blue, red cotton twill and braid.

Object details

Categories
Circus
Costumes
Entertainment & Leisure
Object type
Theatre costume
Parts
This object consists of 3 parts.
(Some alternative part names are also shown below)
  • Theatre Costumes
  • Top
  • Theatre Costumes
  • Pantaloons
  • Theatre Costumes
  • Rosettes
Materials and techniques
Wool
Plastic
Cotton Twill
Braid
Sewing
Applique
Brief description
Costume worn by Whimsical Walker (Thomas Dawson).
Physical description
Clown costume worn by Whimsical Walker (Thomas Dawson), comprising a loose top and pantaloons and one shoe rosette. The top of royal blue fine wool with full gathered sleeves, appliqued with red, yellow and brown wool in the shape of clown heads with hats, facial features and make-up. At the neck, sleeves and waist are deep single frills of off-white cotton twill edged with a broad line of blue and red braid. Worn with full length voluminous pantaloons of royal blue fine wool appliqued with clown heads, attached to a low necked sleeveless top of off-white cotton. The shoe rosette of white, blue, red cotton twill and braid.
Dimensions
  • Full costume, length length: 140cm
  • Packed weight of object weight: 2.4kg
  • Chest jumpsuit ( pantaloons) circumference: 117cm (Note: Pantaloons have attached bodice. Internal measurement. Measured by Textile Conservation.)
  • High waist jumpsuit (pantaloons) circumference: 111cm (Note: Pantaloons have attached bodice. Internal measurement. Measured by Textile Conservation.)
  • Jacket chest circumference: 118cm (Maximum) (Note: Internal Measurement.)
  • Jacket high waist circumference: 120cm (Maximum) (Note: Internal Measurement.)
  • Jacket nape waist length: 36.5cm (Maximum) (Note: External Measurement.)
  • Jacket cross back width: 38cm (Maximum) (Note: Narrow x-back. External measurement. )
  • Jacket nape hem length: 51cm (Maximum) (Note: External Measurement. )
Measured by conservation
Collection
Theatre and Performance Collection
Accession number
S.279&B-1977

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1114858/theatre-costume-unknown/
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