This waistcoat is made of silk woven by a well-known 18th century London weaving company, Maze and Steer. Their pattern book of “Fancy Vestings and Handkerchief Goods” in the Museum’s collections (Museum no. T.384-1972), features this design woven in 1788 in three colourways. The square-cut shape, standing collar and welt pocket are characteristic of the waistcoat styles in the 1780s.