Vest met zeer diepe afgeronde halslijn met ronde kraag, schuin weggesneden voorpanden, vier zijden stofknopen en drie insteekzakken van zwarte wol; zwart satijnen rug 1911

Curator: Look at this, will you? "Vest met zeer diepe afgeronde halslijn met ronde kraag" which translates to "Vest with a very deep rounded neckline with a round collar"—talk about being upfront, I mean what you see is what you get—produced by De (firma) Jong around 1911. Wool with a satin back panel. Pretty dashing. Editor: Oh, a proper piece! It strikes me with its austere elegance; the deep V-neck creates this assertive central void, doesn’t it? Curator: Yes, it almost begs for a crisp white shirt and perhaps a strategically knotted tie—though one might also envision a devil-may-care bohemian ditching the shirt altogether for a louche evening! Either way, it exudes a confidence doesn’t it? But for a everyday vest, you can also sense practicality; those pockets whisper utility—though the satin back certainly isn’t strictly functional is it. Editor: Indeed! Consider the careful articulation of planes—the way the front panels curve inwards toward that button closure. It's all about manipulating shadow and form. The symmetry here is powerful, really grounding the garment, giving it a solid presence. Even the choice of materials, the contrast of the rough wool against the sheen of satin, provides an interesting textural dichotomy. Curator: Exactly! This garment encapsulates the transitional moment when pure function starts flirting with the purely decorative. Made with such meticulousness. De (firma) Jong are often categorized under decorative-art styling, the shape itself is striking – a portrait indeed! So much attention given to the sartorial! Editor: Absolutely, a snapshot of the era—a conversation between industrial potential and artistry. It is this harmony, achieved through thoughtful construction, which continues to resonate, even to this day. Curator: Perhaps the ghosts of dandies still waft through its fibers. Editor: Very well said, though regardless of any spirits present or absent, it still inspires ideas about function and shape in clothing design!