The coat has come from a theatre costume consultant who has spent their lifetime collecting vintage costumes and clothing to use in the theatre. I think you can say the brocade has a bizarre design with those long curving pods. I am assuming that sleeve ruffles were worn with the three quarter length sleeves. Probably French .
The lampas brocade woven in silver, soft apricot, green and blue flowers and leaves, with a large 16 in/41 cm repeat. The waistcoat with round neck, nineteen buttons covered in gold foil and with gold trim, similr buttonholesbut only thirteen opening, large curving pockets to lower front, three quarter sleeves of crimson silk taffeta with deep brocade cuffs, each with a button, the back of similar silk with brocade the lower area, lined with similr silk, the lower tails area of Norwich glazed worsted wool, each side with a sword support made from coarse hessian.
Bakc neck to hem 35 in/89 cm. Underarm 42 in/1.07 m.
You do not realise the brocade has evenly faded except when you lift the pocket flaps. The original colour was gold, which has changed to silver. The crimson silk has some damage. Ask for photos. There is staining and damage under arms. The back has a hole and some marks. One of the buttons has come unravelled. The lining is quite damaged.Ask for photos.
http://www.mfa.org/collections/object/mans-sleeved-waistcoat-47106
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