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
1925-2-507
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This delicate *Design for Embroidery,man's Waistcoat Pocket*ails from the Fabrique de Saint Ruf workshop Lyon, France, around 1785. Lyon was Europe's silk and textile powerhouse during the 18th century, renowned for producing luxurious fabrics that adorned the elite. As a preparatory design for embroidery on a gentleman's waistcoat—a key garment in men's formal attire—this piece captures the era's emphasis on intricate pocket detailing, where even small areas became canvases for opulent decoration. Created amid the lavish pre-Revolutionary fashion scene, the design reflects the technical prow...