Design for Embroidery, Gentleman's Waistcoat Pocket
Classification
embroidery & stitching
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Eleanor and Sarah Hewitt
Accession Number
1920-36-83
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Design for Embroidery, Gentleman's Waistcoat Pocket* by Mademoiselle Calva, a French artist active in the late 18th century, dates to around 1785. Created during the opulent final decades of the Ancien Régime, it captures the refined elegance of pre-Revolutionary French fashion. Waistcoats were essential to a gentleman's wardrobe, often featuring intricate embroidery on pockets to showcase wealth and taste. As a design rather than a finished piece, it served as a pattern for skilled embroiderers, highlighting the collaborative artistry between designers and needleworkers. Calva...