Boy's Coat
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Joel Potter
(American, 1800 - 1873)
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1803-1805
MediumHand-stitched cotton, with cotton-covered bone (probably) buttons
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across shoulders): 16 x 8in. (40.6 x 20.3cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineMuseum purchase
DescriptionSmall boy's tail coat of cotton printed with a small checked design in brown on white; the white squares are filled with a madder red dot. The coat is double-breasted, with five buttons on either side of center front opening; the lower three buttons function, while the upper two on each side are decorative. The buttonholes are stitched in dark brown silk. The rise and fall collar is 1 1/4 inches wide at the center back; triangular lapels turn back below the collar in front. The two-pieced sleeve is set high on the shoulder; it terminates in a 2 1/4-inch-wide cuff that is vented at the back seam for 1 1/2 inches. The front waistline curves back to the tails. The shoulder seams are set towards the back. The coat body is cut with curved side back seams and a center back seam. The side back seams terminate at the pleats of the coat tails. This area is reinforced with plain, white cotton and decorated with two self-covered buttons. The coat is faced with self-fabric in the breast, and there is a facing strip in the proper left tail. The self-facing in the proper right tail forms a welted pocket. The buttons on the breast are reinforced by a 1/2-inch-wide button stand strip between the fashion fabric and the facing (this can be felt but not seen).
Object number1964.80.6
On View
Not on view
