Vest met hoge kraag van witte zijde, versierd met borduurwerk van lichtgele zijde, zilveren pailletten en zilverdraad. c. 1789 - 1814

This high-collared waistcoat made of white silk and decorated with light yellow silk embroidery, silver sequins, and silver thread was made by an anonymous artist. Waistcoats were worn by men from the late 17th century through the 19th century, and this one likely dates from the 18th century. The delicacy and elegance of this garment speaks volumes about the society that produced and consumed such items. Garments such as this were a key element in constructing one's social identity and could only be worn by men of high social standing in the upper classes. The high collar suggests a degree of formality and the delicate embroidery suggests a taste for luxury and refinement. The garment reflects the gendered social norms of the period, as men in positions of power were increasingly expected to perform their status through ostentatious shows of wealth. To understand the waistcoat more fully, one might examine historical records of fashion, trade, and social etiquette, as well as the biographies of the men who wore them.