Corset thumbnail 1
Corset thumbnail 2
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Not currently on display at the V&A

Corset

ca. 1900 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Pair of corsets, possibly for maternity, made of cream cotton with red machine-embroidered trim. Trimmed at the top with a scallop edged tape. Made in four parts, they fasten at the front with a busk with five white metal loops and studs, and at the back they have 17 sets of white-metal bound eyelets for a lace. At each side there are 12 further sets of metal bound eyelets which fasten with elasticated laces. There is a vertical opening at the bust which fastens with three bronze gilt press studs, clamped into the fabric, and a diamond pattern impressed on the head which shows on the face of the fabric. On the reverse of the stud is a mark. The corsets reach from the bust to the middle of the hip descending to a point at about the middle of the belly in the centre front. They are machine-stitched and seem lightly boned, encased and sewn to the face of the fabric. Bound at the top and bottom with grey tape. The breast gussets and side lacing suggest this is a maternity corset.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Corset
  • Corset
Materials and techniques
Embroidered cotton, and metal and boning
Brief description
Pair of corsets of embroidered cotton, possibly made in England or Germany, c.1900
Physical description
Pair of corsets, possibly for maternity, made of cream cotton with red machine-embroidered trim. Trimmed at the top with a scallop edged tape. Made in four parts, they fasten at the front with a busk with five white metal loops and studs, and at the back they have 17 sets of white-metal bound eyelets for a lace. At each side there are 12 further sets of metal bound eyelets which fasten with elasticated laces. There is a vertical opening at the bust which fastens with three bronze gilt press studs, clamped into the fabric, and a diamond pattern impressed on the head which shows on the face of the fabric. On the reverse of the stud is a mark. The corsets reach from the bust to the middle of the hip descending to a point at about the middle of the belly in the centre front. They are machine-stitched and seem lightly boned, encased and sewn to the face of the fabric. Bound at the top and bottom with grey tape. The breast gussets and side lacing suggest this is a maternity corset.
Dimensions
  • Waist measured inside garment circumference: 53cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Bust measured inside garment circumference: 75cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
  • Underbust measured inside garment circumference: 58cm (Note: Measured by Conservation)
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'NO H TIL 19' (Printed in orange-red and black, on a white paper label with a decorative orange border stuck to the inside at the top left of the back)
  • '9 .59' (In pencil on the inside of the right busk)
  • 'MADE IN FRANCE PAT 1.1/689' (Impressed on the reverse of the press studs)
Gallery label
Maternity wear Corsets designed for pregnancy and nursing were advertised throughout the 19th century. This maternity corset is a typical example. It is constructed like a fashionable corset, with boning and a central busk. It has side laces, to enable the wearer to adjust the corset to her changing figure. The cups can be opened for breastfeeding by releasing the press studs. Maternity corset Britain or Germany, about 1900 Cotton twill, metal busk, boning, elastic side laces and machine-embroidered trimming V&A: T.98&A-1984 Given by the family of Myer Yanovsky (16/04/2016-12/03/2017)
Credit line
Given by M. Yanovsky
Collection
Accession number
T.98&A-1984

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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