Description:
Pair of men's breeches or pantaloons made from a yellowish brown cotton known as nankeen. The excellent condition of this garment, combined with an absence of a lining or reinforcements typical in the construction of other, similar garments, and the presence of a paper label, suggests they were never worn. They were probably originally intended for summer wear. Constructed with a high waistline and button fly-front vertical closure (no fall flap), securing with bone buttons, which also secure the leg openings. Inside, the garment is unlined. The paper tag sewn inside and bearing the ink inscription "H.H. Gould," possibly reveals the original owner or customer. Nankeen was a commonly-imported textile into America in the second half of the 18th century and much of the 19th century. Originally from Nanking, in eastern China, where the natural yellow-colored cotton was first woven into export goods for the west. By the middle of the 18th century, Manchester, England, was advertising its version of nankeen. Into the early nineteenth century, nankeens both imported and European-produced, were available in many shades of yellow, as well as striped, black, blue, and white. While Chinese-produced nankeens were typically narrow in width, about 8-11" selvage-wide, the width of this nankeen is at least 121/4" wide.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2007.17.5 |
