Physical description

Corset made from white cotton net, trimmed with white machine-made lace through which are threaded figured white silk ribbons.

Made in two parts, which fasten together at the front with 6 white metal loop and button catches, and at the back are 12 pairs of white metal bound eyelets. Supported by bone in white cotton casing, which are angled to provide a fairly straight front. Panels inserted under the bust. There is an applied diamond shaped waist band of white cotton. The corset reaches from just over the bust to the curve of the hips. It slants down to a point in front and less deeply at the back. Machine-stitched.

Place of Origin

England (possibly, made)
Germany (possibly, made)

Date

1895-1900 (made)

Artist/maker

Unknown

Materials and Techniques

Cotton net trimmed with machine-made lace and silk ribbon, metal and bone

Dimensions

Width: 18 in

Descriptive line

Corset made from cotton net trimmed with machine-made lace and silk ribbon, possibly made in Germany or England, 1895-1900

Labels and date

Light and cool

Cotton net was used to make summer corsets. This corset is one of a group associated with Myer Yanovsky (about 1849-1920) who owned a truss and corset making business in Whitechapel in East London. Some corsets were imported from Wurttemberg in Germany and others made on the premises.

Corset
Britain or Germany, about 1900
Cotton, boning, metal busk with ribbon and machine made lace trimming
V&A: T.92&A-1984
Given by the family of Myer Yanovsky [16/04/2016-12/03/2017]

Categories

Textiles; Women's clothes; Fashion; Underwear; Lace

Collection

Textiles and Fashion Collection