LADIES VEST, PART OF TWO PIECE OUTFIT

1860
Subcollections
Overview

Vest, one piece of a two piece outfit.
handmade, fastens at front with hooks and eyes, hooks along lower edge.
Six enclosed stays made of willow.
Outer is weighted silk, teal green with black stripe, black seed beading on webbing in one piece over shoulders and upper back.
Black chiffon ruching along neck and front edge. Cotton piping on armhole. Linen facing.

Details

Details

Registration number
cwa-org-37-2004.7b
Item type
Width
560 mm
Height or length
390 mm
Contextual Information

"Weighted silk" is silk which has been treated to restore or increase the weight lost during the process of degumming. This processing started in the 19th century, with vegetable-based solutions such as tannins or sugar. Chemical solutions based upon salts of lead or tin were then used, as well as silicate, phosphate of soda, and astringent extracts.These increased the weight considerably, but led to accusations of adulteration as the properties of the silk were impaired.

Year
Shire of Toodyay

Shire of Toodyay

Organisation Details
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