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Object Timeline

1984

  • We acquired this object.

2002

2010

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2024

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Stomacher (England)

This is a Stomacher. It is dated late 17th or early 18th century and we acquired it in 1984. Its medium is linen, silk, metallic (metal foil-wrapped silk core) and its technique is plain weave linen foundation, embroidered on the front with couching stitches; trimmed with applied silk ribbon and woven metal trim, needle lace rose; backed with a block-printed linen lining printed with a pigment; ribs of unidentified material. It is a part of the Textiles department.

This woman’s stomacher is almost entirely covered in rich silver metallic thread embroidery. At the top is a red and white rose tied with a bow, possibly a Tudor Rose, heraldic symbol of England. Worn with an open robe, it covered the V-shaped area below the décolletage by pinning or stitching the green tabs to keep it in place, a time-consuming process. Silver threads were laid horizontally over the stomacher, and a series of stepped couching stitches secured the metal threads to the linen foundation while creating a surface pattern. The central panel terminates at the bottom in an arrowhead shape while three tabs lie on either side of it – a remnant from late 17th century fashion. Stomachers often were made in colors or patterns that contrasted with that of open robe, serving more as an accessory. In this case, silver embroidery made the stomacher easily interchangeable with other robes and functioned much like jewelry.

It is credited Purchase; General Funds.

Its dimensions are

H x W: 37.5 × 26 cm (14 3/4 × 10 1/4 in.)

It is inscribed

Inscribed in dark brown ink on upper left edge on the front, "Queen Mary".

Cite this object as

Stomacher (England); linen, silk, metallic (metal foil-wrapped silk core); H x W: 37.5 × 26 cm (14 3/4 × 10 1/4 in.); Purchase; General Funds; 1984-106-1

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<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18801219/ |title=Stomacher (England) |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=18 April 2024 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>