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Waistcoat

1755-1765 (weaving), 1760-1765 (sewing), 1870-1910 (altered)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

A man's waistcoat with round, bound neckline, curving fronts and skirts reaching between top and mid thigh. Each front has a pocket with shaped pocket flap. The fronts are made of maroon and yellow cut and uncut silk velvet on a voided white ground. The back is made of dark pink worsted twill. There are 19 worked button holes along the left front--the lower five uncut--with 19 corresponding velvet-covered buttons on the right side and five below each pocket flap.

The waistcoat was altered and worn as theatrical costume in the late 19th century. The velvet of the back skirts was removed and inserted at the side and shoulder seams. The lining was replaced with unbleached linen and the front facings and skirt linings replaced with blue cotton. The centre back seam was taken in.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silk, wool, linen, cotton; hand-woven, hand-sewn
Brief description
Man's waistcoat, 1760-1765, British; Red and yellow cut and uncut French velvet, 1760s, altered 1870-1910
Physical description
A man's waistcoat with round, bound neckline, curving fronts and skirts reaching between top and mid thigh. Each front has a pocket with shaped pocket flap. The fronts are made of maroon and yellow cut and uncut silk velvet on a voided white ground. The back is made of dark pink worsted twill. There are 19 worked button holes along the left front--the lower five uncut--with 19 corresponding velvet-covered buttons on the right side and five below each pocket flap.

The waistcoat was altered and worn as theatrical costume in the late 19th century. The velvet of the back skirts was removed and inserted at the side and shoulder seams. The lining was replaced with unbleached linen and the front facings and skirt linings replaced with blue cotton. The centre back seam was taken in.
Dimensions
  • Right shoulder to hem length: 84.0cm (approx)
  • Chest under armholes circumference: 116.0cm (approx)
Credit line
Given by Messrs Harrods
Object history
Talbot Hughes collection
Collection
Accession number
T.1054-1913

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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