Stays
Original OwnerProbably originally owned by
Mrs. Caroline Ruder
about 1767 - 1843
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1775
MediumHand-stitched leather, linen, and cotton, with baleen boning
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width): 17 1/4 x 28in. (43.8 x 71.1cm)
Other (center back length): 14 3/8in. (36.5cm)
Other (center front length): 12 1/2in. (31.8cm)
Other (width across top edge): 33in. (83.8cm)
Other (center back length): 14 3/8in. (36.5cm)
Other (center front length): 12 1/2in. (31.8cm)
Other (width across top edge): 33in. (83.8cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
DescriptionWoman's stays, with a triangular center front panel, and tabs around the bottom edge. They close at center back with a spiral lacing. The original front covering fabric appears to have been plain tan cotton, over a plain linen interlining. The boning is baleen. The stays were originally professionally made and were of high quality, but they were extremely worn and then heavily patched and padded with soft leather and relined with plain cotton.
Object number1983.162.2
InscribedHandwritten in ink on the right back panel of the stays, "Mrs. Caroline Ruder / died April 1[?] 1843, ag 76. / Born in Norwich Eng."NotesOwner Note: The style of the stays suggest that they were worn probably by the mother of Caroline Ruder. The stays were examined on 29 October 2001 by Alicia Annas, Claudia Kidwell, and Sally Queen, who suggested that they are heavily padded because they were worn by an old woman with sensitive skin.Subject Terms
On View
Not on view
