Woman's Vest
Dateabout 1885-1895
MediumHand-stiched silk, silk/cotton, paper, gold-tone metallic cording, gold-tone metallic thread-covered buttons, and glass beads
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width): 14 1/2 x 16in. (36.8 x 40.6cm)
Credit LineGift of E. Palmer Taylor
DescriptionWoman's zouave-influenced bolero vest of cream-colored silk satin, heavily ornamented with gold-tone metallic cording laid out in swirls and arabesque designs. The shoulder and side seams (which are cut towards the back) are overlaid with narrow metallic braid and edged with gold cord stitched down in a zig-zag pattern. The armhole edges are decorated in the same manner. The round neckline, continuing down the curved front edges and along the bottom, are edged with twisted metallic braid. This is further ornamented below the neckline with a fringe of gold thread-covered balls; each ball is tipped with a red glass bead. The vest is lined with a golden-tan colored silk/cotton satin. Where the lining is frayed, one can see that the gold braid is stitched onto a paper backing behind the satin for stability.
Object number1984.35.1
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