Waistcoat

A kaleidoscope of colours are used for this superb embroidered court dress waistcoat dating from the 1780s or 1790s. The waistcoat is of white ribbed silk, embroidered around the collar, front and pockets, with a design of trailing leaves and flowers carried out in satin stitch.

This waistcoat, with its dress coat, is reputed to have been worn by Sir William Hamilton (1730–1803) when envoy to the Court of Naples from 1764 to 1800.