Tail Coat
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1790-1800
MediumHand-stitched cotton with cotton/linen lining material, and cotton-covered bone buttons
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across shoulders): 33 x 18in. (83.8 x 45.7cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
Object number1950.177.0
DescriptionMan's coat of striped fabric. The stripe pattern in the warp is as follows: 24 warps tan, four white, six darker blue, six light blue, four white, repeat. The weft is a fine white yarn. The coat has a double-breasted front closure with seven pairs of buttons covered with striped fabric. Examination of one button with several holes in the fabric indicates the covered discs are bone. There are five hand-stitched buttonholes corresponding to the five lowest buttons on each side, a scant 1/4 inch away from the edge. The button centers are only 1 1/4 inches away from the inner end of the buttonholes. The lapels connect to what appears to be a stand-up, turn-down collar. The long center front ends with a slightly curved cutaway to tails. The front panels continue around to the back of the coat, ending with a side back seam on each side of the center back seam. The center back seam is vented for nine inches. The two side back seams each have a gusset nine inches in length inserted in the bottom of the seam, with narrow pleats caught at the top. A covered button is stitched at both the top and bottom of the gusset and at the bottom of each inside seam. The narrow, two-piece sleeves are curved. A three-inch-wide cuff is attached, having a three-inch-long opening at the back seam closed by one smaller covered button with corresponding button hole. The sleeves, back of the torso, and pockets are lined with a cotton/linen cloth. There is a pocket 9 1/2 inches deep and eight inches wide sewn to the proper right inside above the waist. The other two pockets are approximately the same size, stitched below the waist on each side front of the coat. All three pockets are faced with scraps of the striped fabric stitched together to cover the lining cloth.
Status
Not on view
