Rokoko Korsett, 1780er Jahre
Original stays from the 1780s, European or American. These stays are made of densely woven linen, wide and low across the bust. The whalebones are densely packed in fine, hand-stitched directional channels that smooth and press the torso into the fashionable cone shape. One front panel. The stays fasten at the back. Eyelet holes. The bones of these stays are cut very finely. Cutting whalebone this thinly required a high degree of expertise and physical strength. Lined with off-white linen. Stays were always worn over a shift, which protected the skin from its corser materials. However, there is chamois leather under each “spikes” (on the bottom edge) that was needed to protect outer layers of clothing from the wear and tear of its hard edges. Excellent condition taking in consideration the age of the stays. Some stains and signs of wear. Inside a few holes in the hand-stitched linen channels. Modern ribbon is used to lace. The decoration is not included. Deaccessioned by The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA).
Brust: ~ 80 cm
Taille: ~ 60 cm
Länge vorne: ~ 29 cm
Länge hinten: ~ 37 cm
