Archery Coat
1830-1850 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The buttons on this coat are engraved with an arrow. They show that the wearer belonged to the Walton Le Dale archery club, Lancashire. The coat is cut in the style of court dress, which suggests that it was worn for ceremonial events.
During the late 18th and early 19th century there was a revival of archery in Britain. The numbers of societies rapidly increased and with them the regulations governing dress. Many publications offered advice. The Bijou Book of Out-Door Amusements stated: 'The dress of the archer varies in different clubs ... For gentlemen, nothing is better than a green cloth coat with gilt buttons, having the club device upon them.'
For shooting, a green jacket was recommended. Green is traditionally associated with archery, supposedly originating from medieval foresters and huntsmen who wore it as a form of camouflage. As well as headwear, breeches, boots and equipment, men often had to invest in outfits for different occasions. Archery could be a costly sport, especially as fines could be imposed for not wearing the prescribed uniform.
The coat was acquired with a collection of costume worn by members of the Lowndes family, formerly of Leahall, Chesterfield, and the Gorst family of Chester.
During the late 18th and early 19th century there was a revival of archery in Britain. The numbers of societies rapidly increased and with them the regulations governing dress. Many publications offered advice. The Bijou Book of Out-Door Amusements stated: 'The dress of the archer varies in different clubs ... For gentlemen, nothing is better than a green cloth coat with gilt buttons, having the club device upon them.'
For shooting, a green jacket was recommended. Green is traditionally associated with archery, supposedly originating from medieval foresters and huntsmen who wore it as a form of camouflage. As well as headwear, breeches, boots and equipment, men often had to invest in outfits for different occasions. Archery could be a costly sport, especially as fines could be imposed for not wearing the prescribed uniform.
The coat was acquired with a collection of costume worn by members of the Lowndes family, formerly of Leahall, Chesterfield, and the Gorst family of Chester.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Broadcloth, gilt brass |
| Brief description | Man's archery broadcloth coat with gilt brass buttons, Great Britain, 1830-1850 |
| Physical description | Man's archery bottle green broadcloth coat cut in the style of a court dress which was based on the eighteenth century frock coat. It has curving fronts and long tails behind and a high stand collar. There are two flapped pockets in the waistseam at the back, and gilt brass hip buttons heading the centre of two black pleats. The coat has eight gilt brass buttons at the front and false buttonholes. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | 'WALTON / [pointed arrow] / LE DALE' (Inscribed on the brass buttons) |
| Credit line | Part of the Gorst collection, given by Mrs Katherine Rachael Thomas |
| Summary | The buttons on this coat are engraved with an arrow. They show that the wearer belonged to the Walton Le Dale archery club, Lancashire. The coat is cut in the style of court dress, which suggests that it was worn for ceremonial events. During the late 18th and early 19th century there was a revival of archery in Britain. The numbers of societies rapidly increased and with them the regulations governing dress. Many publications offered advice. The Bijou Book of Out-Door Amusements stated: 'The dress of the archer varies in different clubs ... For gentlemen, nothing is better than a green cloth coat with gilt buttons, having the club device upon them.' For shooting, a green jacket was recommended. Green is traditionally associated with archery, supposedly originating from medieval foresters and huntsmen who wore it as a form of camouflage. As well as headwear, breeches, boots and equipment, men often had to invest in outfits for different occasions. Archery could be a costly sport, especially as fines could be imposed for not wearing the prescribed uniform. The coat was acquired with a collection of costume worn by members of the Lowndes family, formerly of Leahall, Chesterfield, and the Gorst family of Chester. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | CIRC.108-1963 |
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 | October 18, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
