Coat
Unknown Artist
1810–20
Medium
wool
Classification
Coat
Culture
British
Department
Costume Institute
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of the family of Thomas Coutts, 1908
Accession Number
08.187.1
Art Historical Context
This elegant wool coat, crafted in Britain between 1810 and 1820, offers a glimpse into the refined world of Regency-era fashion. During this period, marked by the Napoleonic Wars' aftermath and the stylish influence of figures like Beau Brummell, men's outerwear emphasized tailored silhouettes, high collars, and structured shoulders. Wool, a staple medium for such garments, provided durability, warmth, and a luxurious drape, making it ideal for both urban dandies and country gentlemen navigating London's foggy streets or countryside estates. Though the artist—likely a skilled tailor—is unkno...