Man's Waistcoat Rendered by Ruggiero Pierotti (artist), c. 1942 watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil on paperboard overall: 54.8 x 36.4 cm (21 9/16 x 14 5/16 in.) Index of American Design 1943.8.1646 |
Object 5 of 26
A man's suit in the eighteenth century consisted of a coat, waistcoat, and breeches. The coat and breeches were often made of matching material. The waistcoat was frequently the most decorative part of the costume.
This gentlemen's waistcoat from the early part of the eighteenth century is made of white linen with intricate embroidery called "whitework." This highly specialized form of embroidery, which incorporated a great variety of stitches, was widely used at the time. The eyelets on the left side of the opening in front were most likely for removable buttons or studs.
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