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Man's Waistcoat

A work made of front: silk, satin-weave foundation, embroidered with silk thread in satin, steam and buttonhole stitches and french knots; embroidered fabric covered buttons; silk, twill weave lining; back: linen, plain weave.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

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  • A work made of front: silk, satin-weave foundation, embroidered with silk thread in satin, steam and buttonhole stitches and french knots; embroidered fabric covered buttons; silk, twill weave lining; back: linen, plain weave.

Date:

Embroidered 1780s; altered 1795–1805

Artist:

Possibly Lyon, France

About this artwork

European men wore waistcoats, or vests, with jackets and knee breeches. Fashion dictated that the design and color of the waistcoat fabric should contrast with the matching suit. Colorful floral sprigs, bouquets, and leafy vines produce a lively yet elegant pattern. The buttons on this waistcoat are covered with small circles embroidered to match the pattern of the garment’s textile. The back is a plain, inexpensive linen fabric, as it would not be seen when worn under a jacket. The waistcoat has been shortened from its original shape, an example of reuse that attests to the textile’s value.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Textiles

Title

Man's Waistcoat

Places

France (Object made in), Europe (Object made in), Lyon (Object Possibly made in)

Dates

Made 1780-1789 , Revisions/ alterations 1795-1805

Medium

Front: Silk, satin-weave foundation, embroidered with silk thread in satin, steam and buttonhole stitches and French knots; embroidered fabric covered buttons; silk, twill weave lining; back: linen, plain weave

Dimensions

66.3 × 66.7 cm (26 1/8 × 26 1/4 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Dr. Frank W. Gunsaulus to the Frances Kinsley Hutchinson Collection

Reference Number

1916.429

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

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https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/72167/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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