theclothingproject: Collection’s Highlight: Early 19th Century 3 Piece Suit     &nbs

theclothingproject:

Collection’s Highlight: Early 19th Century 3 Piece Suit

     According to our records, and family lore, this suit was worn by John M. Bowers (1772-1846) when he took possession of his new home “Lakelands” in Cooperstown, New York, in 1805. Bowers might have also worn this suit during his 1802 wedding to Margaretta Stewart Wilson (?-1872). Lakelands still stands today commanding  a stunning view of Lake Otsego. 

     The coat is of black velvet and cut with a high waist and very long tails.  The waist coat is a delicate cream-colored silk with metal thread embroidery and sequins. The breeches are a brown ribbed silk. The breeches go to the knees, as was the fashion in the early 19th century, the fall front had not yet been replaced by the button fly. 

Coat, ca 1805, Velvet, L:38 in. Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, New York, Gift of Spotswood D. Bowers, Photo by Richard Walker, N0383.1965a.

Waistcoat, ca 1805, Silk, L:27 in. Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, New York, Gift of Spotswood D. Bowers, Photo by Richard Walker, N0383.1965b.

Knee Breeches, ca 1805, Silk, L:38 in. Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, New York, Gift of Spotswood D. Bowers, Photo by Richard Walker, N0383.1965c.