Embroidered waistcoat

Cream silk satin waistcoat embroidered with polychrome silk floss in a scrolling floral motif. The buttons of the waistcoat are cut steel. Although made in China, this waistcoat was is in the western taste to appeal to a European market. In the 19th century, it was often the case that clothing made in Asia was much cheaper than those garments tailored in Britain or France.

Object Details

ID: UNI3643
Collection: Textiles; Uniforms
Type: Embroidered waistcoat
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: circa 1840
Exhibition: Traders: The East India Company and Asia
People: Dumaresq, Thomas; Lempriere, F
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 640 x 400 mm