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Black Silk Spencer
c 1810

of heavy silk, double pleated detail to the squared collar, deep pleats from the shoulders to the high waist, a band of black silk velvet from top opening to waist, a placket to the front under the ribbon with five buttonholes, the waist edged with rouleau trim, the widening sleeves with four rows of ruching to the shoulders, the cuffs with two small buttons, the bodice lined in natural cotton, the sleeves with glazed brown cotton,

Comments

The band of black velvet just lifts an otherwise simple spencer. The spencer, originally a man's garment, is said to have taken its name from George, the second Earl Spencer (1758-1834) . Woman reaalised its use and wore it with walking dress until the mid 1820's. In the Costume Society Conference journal of 1970 The So-Called Age of Elegance there is a chapter by Anne Buck on The costume of Jane Austen and her characters. On p 38/9 there is a quotation from Persuasion When you have made Martha's bonnet you must make her a cloack of the same sort of materials; they are very much worn here, in different forms - many of them just like her black silk spencer, with a trimming round the armholes instead of sleeves

Condition

Excellent