Sack
1735-1760 (painting), 1760-1765 (sewing)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This elegant robe and petticoat are fine examples of a woman's formal daywear in the early 1760s. In cut, fabric and design they were the height of fashion.
Materials & Making
The pattern on the silk is hand-painted. The fabric was first sized with alum to make the paint adhere. Next the design was drawn freehand in ink or silverpoint. A variety of pigments were used, including white lead or a chalk ground for the highlights. The robe and petticoat are hand sewn with silk thread and trimmed with gathered strips of the hand-painted silk.
Time
The style and design of this ensemble exemplify the Rococo fashion in dress. The pale yellow silk painted in a variety of bright colours reflects the Rococo palette, while the scalloped sleeve cuffs and gathered robings create a decorative surface pattern. The sack was a style of gown with the fabric at the back arranged in box pleats at the shoulders and falling loose to the floor with a slight train. It was worn with with a petticoat over a wide square hoop.
Places
The silk was woven and painted in China. The width of the fabric and the use of coloured threads in the selvedge (the cloth edge) differ from European silks. The floral pattern shows the influence of Western design, indicating that it was made expressly for the European market.
This elegant robe and petticoat are fine examples of a woman's formal daywear in the early 1760s. In cut, fabric and design they were the height of fashion.
Materials & Making
The pattern on the silk is hand-painted. The fabric was first sized with alum to make the paint adhere. Next the design was drawn freehand in ink or silverpoint. A variety of pigments were used, including white lead or a chalk ground for the highlights. The robe and petticoat are hand sewn with silk thread and trimmed with gathered strips of the hand-painted silk.
Time
The style and design of this ensemble exemplify the Rococo fashion in dress. The pale yellow silk painted in a variety of bright colours reflects the Rococo palette, while the scalloped sleeve cuffs and gathered robings create a decorative surface pattern. The sack was a style of gown with the fabric at the back arranged in box pleats at the shoulders and falling loose to the floor with a slight train. It was worn with with a petticoat over a wide square hoop.
Places
The silk was woven and painted in China. The width of the fabric and the use of coloured threads in the selvedge (the cloth edge) differ from European silks. The floral pattern shows the influence of Western design, indicating that it was made expressly for the European market.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 5 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Silk, linen, paint; hand-woven, hand-painted, hand-sewn. |
| Brief description | Sack and petticoat worn by Mrs Garrick, English, 1760-65, made of Chinese painted silk, 1735-60 |
| Physical description | A sack and petticoat of Chinese painted silk. The painted design is very typical of Chinese export art of the Qian Long period (1735-1795). The sack has elbow-length sleeves, each with three sleeve ruffles. The back has two, double-box pleats; the front fastens with a buttoned stomacher. Both the sack and petticoat are decorated with applied, gathered fabric. There are three additional fragments, two of which have been remade in the 19th century for fancy dress use. |
| Dimensions | Dimensions checked: Measured; 19/05/1999 by KN. When mounted the dress is slightly wider than it is deep. Hem to neck height is 150 cm. |
| Style | |
| Production type | Unique |
| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Purchased with the assistance of the Elspeth Evans Bequest |
| Object history | Owned and worn by Mrs. Garrick, née Eva Maria Veigel (born in Vienna, 1724, died in Hampton, near London, 1822), wife of the renowned actor David Garrick (born in Hereford, Hereford and Worcestershire, 1717, died in London, 1779) Historical significance: This ensemble illustrates the prevailing English tastes of the 1760s in general and in particular of the Garricks. The V&A owns silver and a set of Indian bed-hangings once belonging to David Garrick and his wife. Her dress contributes an even more intimate perspective on their lifestyle. |
| Historical context | This is a fine example of a woman's formal gown from the early 1760s. It illustrates the popularity of imported painted silks and the influence of Chinoiserie on dress. The width of the silk, 28&1/2 inches or 72.5 cm, and the use of coloured threads in the selvedge indicate that the silk was woven in China. It was most likely painted there, in a very westernised floral pattern. The sack and petticaot for a wide square hoop indicates formal daywear. The buttoned stomacher and waist seam are typical of the 1760s while the triple sleeve ruffle is more typical of the 1750s and therefore reinforces its formality. |
| Summary | Object Type This elegant robe and petticoat are fine examples of a woman's formal daywear in the early 1760s. In cut, fabric and design they were the height of fashion. Materials & Making The pattern on the silk is hand-painted. The fabric was first sized with alum to make the paint adhere. Next the design was drawn freehand in ink or silverpoint. A variety of pigments were used, including white lead or a chalk ground for the highlights. The robe and petticoat are hand sewn with silk thread and trimmed with gathered strips of the hand-painted silk. Time The style and design of this ensemble exemplify the Rococo fashion in dress. The pale yellow silk painted in a variety of bright colours reflects the Rococo palette, while the scalloped sleeve cuffs and gathered robings create a decorative surface pattern. The sack was a style of gown with the fabric at the back arranged in box pleats at the shoulders and falling loose to the floor with a slight train. It was worn with with a petticoat over a wide square hoop. Places The silk was woven and painted in China. The width of the fabric and the use of coloured threads in the selvedge (the cloth edge) differ from European silks. The floral pattern shows the influence of Western design, indicating that it was made expressly for the European market. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.593:1 to 5-1999 |
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| Record created | December 15, 1999 |
| Record URL |
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