Mummers Costume: Jacket, Trousers and Hat

Currently not on view

Mummers Costume: Jacket, Trousers and Hat

1829

Artist/maker unknown, English

In the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, British mummers dressed in fantastic modes to perform plays and dances at annual festivals, especially around Christmas. The antic revelry and gentle mischief making of the clowns, or Toms, encouraged donations from amused spectators and gave working-class men the chance to act out. This mummers costume is covered with playful appliqués including devils carrying pitchforks and, on the back of the hat, the date and initials TF—probably signifying Tom Fool.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Mummers Costume: Jacket, Trousers and Hat

Date:

1829

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, English

Medium:

Natural linen plain weave with appliqués in blue, black, red, brown fulled wool plain weave; blue wool fringe; blue wool; off-white cotton fringe; light brown silk and cotton fringe; off-white wool; silver lace; brown wool braid; dark blue and yellow braid; peach wool tassel

Dimensions:

Center Back Length (Jacket (a)): 31 inches (78.7 cm) Trousers (b): 41 1/2 inches (105.4 cm) Hat (c): 9 1/2 × 5 1/4 × 20 inches (24.1 × 13.3 × 50.8 cm)

Classification:

Costume (including accessories)

Credit Line:

Purchased with funds contributed by various donors in memory of Anne d'Harnoncourt

Accession Number:

2009-106-1a--c

Geography:

Possibly made in Yorkshire, England, Europe

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Currently not on view