Costume and Textiles Woman's Stays Probably made in EnglandOr United States Mid- 18th century Artist/maker unknown, American or English Glazed wool twill, buckram, linen thread, baleen, leather, linen plain weave lining, flax fibers Currently not on view 1903-135 Gift of Mrs. William D. Frishmuth, 1903 |
LabelIn the eighteenth century, men fit women's stays and inserted the baleen because they were thought to have the necessary strength; the sewing, however, was done by women. The green wool of this beautifully made pair shows off the off-white stitching of both backstitched channels and the seed stitching on the hips. In the front, invisible between the buckram and lining, the hollow under the bust is filled with a wad of unspun flax fiber. |
