Need dating help please on this older men's vest

MagsRags

MagsRags

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Need dating help please on this older men\'s vest

It was sold to me a couple of years ago as 1830s, supposedly de-accessioned from a museum in Rhode Island (I think). I'm willing to believe pre-1920s, but earlier than that and I need help.
:wacko:

waistcoata.jpg

The brocade on the front is very finely woven, feels like silk, the rest of the vest is a fine weave muslin.

waistcoatfabrica.jpg

The vest front is padded, for warmth, I assume - and the lower edge of the front lining is edged in a very soft leather, maybe kid?

waistcoatinsidea.jpg

You can see the discolored shadow of a pocket watch that must have resided in the right pocket. I don't have a photo of the back right now, although I can snap one if it would be helpful. The lower hem curves up a little in the center. No straps or buckles exstant, but there are stitchmarks and remnants that lead me to believe that there were two sets of buckle straps, one on each side.

So when is this, please? And why?
 
My best guess is a man's wedding waistcoat from the 1840s - 50s, although I could be off on that - 1830s- 1860s certainly. The padding in the chest and armhole area was for the fashionable silhouette and shape, not so much warmth. The back most likely had a buckle, it's a shame it' missing. It should be fully handsewn.

Hollis
 
Thank you Hollis!
The stitching is so tiny and precise that it's hard to believe it could have been handsewn. Either that or seamstresses went blind in those days by the time they were 30.
Another detail I just noticed is that the front of each armhole has three spaced out 1" rows of stitching into the body of the vest through both layers - probably to keep the padding from shifting? There was a loose seam area in the armhole and the padding is soft white cotton fibers, like batting.
 
The shape of this shawl or step collar waistcoat or vest is from c1830 -1860's. Although it is white, it may not necessarily have been worn as part of a man's wedding outfit. Victorian waistcoats were available in a huge range of fabrics during the 19th century. White waistcoats were also worn as part of military uniforms.
 
Vertugarde is absolutely right in that white does not always signify weddings or even formal wear, although it was frequently worn for those purposes.

Here's one I had that was dated 1856, and it's either for a much taller man or is much longer waisted:
1856vest1.jpg


Hollis
 
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