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1903 |
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Waistcoat (France)
This is a Waistcoat. It is dated ca. 1795 and we acquired it in 1903. Its medium is silk, metal-wrapped silk, sequins, wire coils, paste jewels and its technique is embroidered using satin, stem and knot stitches and appliqué on satin weave foundation. It is a part of the Textiles department.
Title: Garb for a Gent
The light color palette and spare decoration of this waistcoat are typical of the neoclassical style, which dominated design in the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century. The silhouette is tight-fitting and markedly angular, with the lower hem cut straight across and rectangular pocket welts. This was a departure from the skirted waistcoats with curving pocket flaps of the preceding Rococo period. Although restrained in decoration, the garment implies luxury through the inclusion of metal-wrapped silk, paste jewels and metal sequins. Starbursts and phoenixes enliven the design. Stylized floral motifs with silver spangles have replaced the naturalistic sprays of flowers that had been popular earlier in the century.
This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled Garb for a Gent.
This object was
donated by
Georgiana L. McClellan.
It is credited Gift of Mrs. George B. McClellan.
Cite this object as
Waistcoat (France); silk, metal-wrapped silk, sequins, wire coils, paste jewels; Gift of Mrs. George B. McClellan; 1903-15-2
