Waistcoat
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Colonel Samuel Talcott
(American, 1733 - 1797)
Clothing MakerMade by
Brownell & Marvin
(American)
Dateabout 1770-1780
MediumHand-stitched cotton and linen, with non-ferrous metal and mother of pearl buttons and one unidentified metal button
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across shoulders): 27 3/4 x 16in. (70.5 x 40.6cm)
Other (width across chest): 18in. (45.7cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Joseph T. Hall
Object number1962.43.10
DescriptionMan's waistcoat of brown cotton/linen; the left front panel is twill-woven, pieced out with a flat rib-woven fabric of similar weight, dyed to match. The proper right front panel is made of the rib-woven fabric. The vest has a high, round neckline and center front opening which fastens with ten buttons, all of which are replacements. The top button is nineteenth-century, stamped with a manufacturer's name. The other buttons are carved mother of pearl set in a metal bezel with shank; these may be eighteenth-century, but they are too fancy for the waistcoat and are not original to it. There is a nine-inch-wide pocket flap over a slashed pocket on each lower side. The pocket is cut with a double concave shallow curve, meeting at a center point. The center front is cut away in an inverse V. The lower sides of the waistcoat are flared; the side seams and center back seam are vented for six to seven inches. The back panels of the waistcoat are made of herringbone-twill-striped linen/cotton fabric. The pockets are plain-woven cotton. The neckline edge is finished on the inside with a strip of dimity matching that used for the center back panel that was removed (see conservation notes).
Status
Not on view
