Man's Coat or Cape with Overcape
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1865-1885
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched wool, with composite buttons and two different bias tapes for finishing. The buttons have been chewed by a rodent, suggesting they are not an early synthetic product.
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across shoulders): 59 x 17in. (149.9 x 43.2cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
DescriptionMan's dark green wool sleeveless coat or cape with an overcape. The center front opening extends the length of the cape and fastens with eleven one-inch-diameter black buttons, decorated with a floral design in the centers. The buttons are on the proper right side with corresponding handmade buttonholes on the proper left. Each side-front has a patch pocket at hip height, decorated with two buttons and a wedge appliqué of green wool. The pockets are trapezoids (square-shaped with a bottom wider than the top). The coat is constructed with side seams, into which two godets (triangular insertions) have been stitched to widen the bottom circumference. The armscyes are finished with light green bias tape, machine-stitched in place. The overcape is attached at the neck, along each shoulder seam, and down the front of each armscye. It curves down to be 33 3/4 inches long at the center back. Small wedges of wool are sewn to each side of the cape to complete the circle. The overcape is edged with a black bias tape that is machine-stitched. A collar, edged with black bias tape, is attached on top of the cape at the neck. The inner seam is finished with green bias tape. Two loops of this same tape are stitched, one at each shoulder seam, at the neck for the purpose of hanging the coat.
Object number1988.196.0
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