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Materials: Pale silver silk satin,
linen fustian and plain linen back and linings, eight self covered
buttons, silk embroidery floss.
Provenance: Deaccessioned from an
New England museum, probably American.
Condition: Excellent. No stains
or tears in the body of the garment; buttons stained. One narrow 3 inch
long area of wear at bottom of right pocket; the owner probably kept
something in his pocket causing the silk to weaken.
Measurements: Sh-Sh, 11.5";
Chest, 35.5"; Front L, 17.5"; W, 36".
Comments: Gentleman's waistcoat
has the shortened straight front and tab collar fashionable at the turn
of the 19th century. The dainty tambour embroidery decorating this
waistcoat was worked in a palette of autumn colors. Sometime in its
original period of wear, this waistcoat was made larger. A linen panel
was inserted in the center back and very narrow gussets added at side
seams. This charming waistcoat is a wonderful example of a transition
garment. It bridges the styles of gentlemen's clothing between the 18th
and early 19th centuries. The silk embroidery reminds one of the lavish
decoration found on men's garments near the end of the 18th century,
while the simple, boxy cut with their roomy, utilitarian pockets
forecasts men's fashion to come.
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