Waistcoat
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth
(American, 1743 - 1804)
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1785
MediumHand-stitched cream-colored silk satin with embroidery in silk floss, sequins, and metal thread, with wool lining and backing; silk-covered wooden buttons
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (center back length x width across bottom): 30 x 21in. (76.2 x 53.3cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Daniel Wadsworth, Esq.
Object number1848.15.3
DescriptionCream-colored silk satin waistcoat, embroidered with silk floss, sequins, and metal thread. (The metal thread is black; it may be silver which was specially treated to make it uniformly black.) The waistcoat cut is long and slender, with flared skirts over the hips. It is collarless. The embroidered design is of black swags and tassels, with pale pink roses. Pink sequins add sparkle. This design covers the bottom front panels of the waistcoat, the pocket flaps, and the center front edges to the neckline. The interiors of the front panels are embroidered with small silk rosebuds and five-petaled flower heads made of sequins. There are twelve buttons covered with embroidered silk on the proper right center front edge, with corresponding buttonholes on the left. The top buttonhole is not cut, and there is no corresponding button.
The front panels are lined along the edges and across the skirts with cream-colored twill-woven silk. The rest of the waistcoat is lined with heavily napped, undyed wool. The center back seam is open, with the edges finished. It is backed with a gusset-like piece of plain-woven wool. The "seam" has spiral lacing through worked holes, which control the fit of the waistcoat. There is a hanging loop at the top of the center back.
This waistcoat was worn by Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth of Hartford at the court of Louis XVI of France.
NotesHistorical Note: According to museum records, this waistcoat was worn by Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth (1743-1804) of Hartford at the court of Louis XVI of France.The front panels are lined along the edges and across the skirts with cream-colored twill-woven silk. The rest of the waistcoat is lined with heavily napped, undyed wool. The center back seam is open, with the edges finished. It is backed with a gusset-like piece of plain-woven wool. The "seam" has spiral lacing through worked holes, which control the fit of the waistcoat. There is a hanging loop at the top of the center back.
This waistcoat was worn by Colonel Jeremiah Wadsworth of Hartford at the court of Louis XVI of France.
Status
Not on view
Object/Object
