Vest C.1840 - 1860. Binding Patterned silk satin, machine-woven cotton fabric in plain weave. Metal buckle, buttons bench. Hand Stitching. | Digitalt Museum
Self-portrait (1842) by Johann Baptist Reiter (1813-1890).
Wedding vest 1840–49. British. Silk, cotton & leather. | THE MET
Mantle 1840–70. Hungarian. Wool, leather & cotton.
The Hungarian szür is derived from mantles over 2500 years old, and continued to be worn into the early 20th century. The garment was worn by shepherds mostly, providing protection from the harsh elements. Their thick wool felt was protective against cold and wet, and the long collars were adorned with roundels at the lower corners that could be connected to form a hood. Generally knee to mid-calf length, they were heavily adorned with embroidery and appliqués specific to their locality. The szür was usually worn draped over the shoulders, with the sleeves hanging loose. It was a much-coveted object, and so costly that many men resorted to thievery to afford one. The motifs of this szür were inspired by ancient Islamic motifs. The intricacy and density of the embroidery is stunning and virtuosic. | THE MET
Bodice 1837–40, American. Cotton. This is a charming girl's bodice which replicates the form of an adult garment of the period. Like women's dress during the 1830s, this bodice marks the beginning of the collapse of the full sleeve, an event that occurred in 1837. | THE MET
Ball Gown Ca. 1842, British, silk & cotton. This is a striking example of how 18th-century fabric was treasured. The textile was probably originally a 1740s dress which was taken apart and then reconfigured into this fashionable dress in the early 1840s. The elongated waist and V-shaped bodice front emphasize the bust and wide shoulders and were key features of the dresses of the period. | THE MET
Maria Alexandrova by Ivan Kosmich Makarov, oil on canvas, 1840s. Maria Alexandrovna in a court dress with traditional kokoshnik.
Postilion's jacket, 1825-1855. Russian Court Dress. All ranks of imperial servants wore livery, or court uniform. The postilions and coachmen, accompanied the emperor’s entourage on formal outings, either riding on horseback or driving the imperial carriages. Court livery included both relatively plain garments for day-to-day use and the sumptuous uniforms worn for particularly grand occasions. Apart from coronations, these special events included the celebration of saints’ days, the consecration of churches, the reviewing of troops and the meeting of a new royal bride. | The Moscow Kremlin Museums via V&A
Evening dress Ca. 1842, American or European, silk | THE MET
Wedding Gloves. 1842. A rare example made by the French glove manufacturer Préville, these wedding gloves are noteworthy for their design. The leatherwork replicating a lace pattern at the cuffs is an unusual and refined touch. Only a very thin and soft kidskin would allow for the level of cutwork detail necessary to create the lace effect. The appearance of the finished gloves indicates the quality of the materials used to make them. | THE MET
An enamel fob watch depicting a young girl in a pink and blue dress holding a puppy in front of Lake Genova. Circa 1840. | BENTLEY & SKINNER