Not currently on display at the V&A

Nightgown

1815-1822 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This nightgown is an example of one type of informal clothing worn by men in the early 19th century. Nightgowns were worn over shirt and breeches, in the privacy of home before noon or late at night. They first appear in the male wardrobe in the mid-17th century, inspired by the kimonos given by the Japanese shoguns to the directors of the Dutch East India Company. During the 18th century nightgowns evolved into several different shapes, from the simple T-shape of the original kimono to others cut more like the European coat, as in this example. The tufts of black wool on the cream wool fabric are meant to imitate ermine. This nightgown comes from wardrobe of Thomas Coutts (1735-1822), the founder of Coutts Bank.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brief description
Flannel nightgown, 1815-1822, English, worn by Thomas Coutts. Imitation ermine
Physical description
Wool flannel nightgown, cream with applied tufts of wool to imitate ermine, bound with silk twill, hand-sewn
Dimensions
  • Waist circumference: 99cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Chest circumference: 101cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Nape waist length: 39cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Nape hem length: 116cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Sleeve shoulder to cuff length: 67cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Sleeve underarm to cuff length: 49cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Sleeve cuff circumference: 27.5cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
Credit line
Given by Mr Francis Coutts
Summary
This nightgown is an example of one type of informal clothing worn by men in the early 19th century. Nightgowns were worn over shirt and breeches, in the privacy of home before noon or late at night. They first appear in the male wardrobe in the mid-17th century, inspired by the kimonos given by the Japanese shoguns to the directors of the Dutch East India Company. During the 18th century nightgowns evolved into several different shapes, from the simple T-shape of the original kimono to others cut more like the European coat, as in this example. The tufts of black wool on the cream wool fabric are meant to imitate ermine. This nightgown comes from wardrobe of Thomas Coutts (1735-1822), the founder of Coutts Bank.
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.718:7-1912

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Record createdDecember 15, 1999
Record URL
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