Stomacher

Stomacher which is part of a gown of silk brocade (33.91a) with wide skirt to fit over hoops. The dress would have been called a "sack back" due to its construction: the fabric at the back is floating to the ground without being gathered in at the waist. The dress has a matching petticoat (33.91b). It is likely to have been made for wear at court.

Fabric: light green taffeta ground with narrow pink cannellé stripes. A broad stripe is brocaded in silver-gilt strip (the gilding has nearly all worn away except on the back) and between the clusters of stripes are (1) a meandering flowering stem in coloured silks and silver frisé and (2) peacock feathers each tied with a bow. These are also woven in coloured silks and silver frisé. The front is decorated with puffs made from the same material and very elaborate matching trimmings (covered crinkled paper?) which dangle. Material width: 20 3/4 ins; selvages: 1/4 ins (red, green tabby 6 outer cords); repeat width: 10 3/8 ins; length 5 1.16 ins. (Note by Natalie Rothstein)

The stomacher is decorated with ruffles made out of the main fabric and braid. It would have been pinned to the robings which are sewn onto either front edge of the dress.