Silk Brocade and Metallic Embellished Coat

This frock-coat is a beautiful example of a piece that undoubtedly began life as the top coat of an aristocrat and wound its way to the opera and ballet for use on the stage. Patrons must have thought it great fun to see their cast offs being repurposed by actors and dancers in subsequent productions. This piece is made from a burnt red and cream silk brocade. Yardage that must have been very costly at the time. The lining of the coat looks to be original based on the construction of the pleats in the back of the coat. And the exaggerated rendition of the button holes as the main design feature is very special.

When the buttons are looped through the silver metallic stitched buttonholes as seen on the cuffs and pockets the effect is altogether more striking. The cuffs have an added overlay of embroidered berry clusters that are so quiet that the discovery of them feels like a real find. This design is such a push pull of subtlety and understated grandiosity that it seems to reveal something about the original wearer.