Woman's Coat
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Emiline Bingham Moseley
American, 1844 - 1928
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1880-1890
MediumMachine-stitched wool and cotton, with fabric-covered ferrous metal buttons, ferrous metal hooks and eyes, and silk ribbon.
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (center back length x width between shoulders): 48 1/2 x 18in. (123.2 x 45.7cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Marion Y. Jaquay
DescriptionWoman's coat of black twill-woven wool, trimmed with woven pile fabric imitating black curly astrakhan lamb. The high, round neckline, continuing down the center front opening and along the bottom edge, is trimmed with a wide border of the curly black wool. The opening fastens with six hidden wool-covered buttons and with two hooks and eyes. The coat has extremely deep armscye seams so that the arm can only bend at the elbow. The sleeve opening is cut very wide, but is rolled under to make a tube for the actual arm opening; there is no underarm seam--the sleeve is open under the arm. The rest of the sleeve fabric creates a webbed effect, connecting to the side seam which is set toward the back. The lower edge of the sleeve is also trimmed with the curly black wool. While the front of the coat hangs straight from the shoulders to the bottom edge, the back is more closely fitted, and a black silk ribbon attached to the lining would tie around the waist to hold the coat against the wearer's back. The coat is lined with black cotton sateen which is machine-stitched with parallel lines like it was quilted, but there does not seem to be any wadding.
Object number1991.47.2
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