Rare, unusual and interesting antique costumes and textiles; for museums and collectors looking for that extra special piece, for new and established collectors and for those with a modest budget who want to adorn their person or home.

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Silk Brocade Double Breasted Waistcoat -FATHER
1790-1800

The satin weave brocade is of a very good quality. This would have been worn by Thomas Crewe Dodd.



The family arms are: Arg on a fesse gu between two cotises wavy sa. three crescents or.



The family motto was in copia cautus.



Provenance:  This waistcoat came from the family of Thomas Crewe Dodd Esq (1754-1827) of Edge Hall, Malpas, Cheshire. Thomas commenced his military career in the 16th (Queen’s) Light Dragoons as Cornet in August 1775 when he was 21.  He went to America with his regiment in August 1776, under Lieutenant George John Burgoyne. Promoted to Lieutenant in 21st regiment of (Light) Dragoons, he was gazetted captain into the 23rd regiment on 28 September 1781, the regiment returning to England in 1778 .  He was gazetted captain in 23rd regiment of (Light) Dragoons in 1781. His regiment were the first to land in India in 1782 and on 27 July 1785  Dodd  was promoted to major. He eventually  resigned from the Army to return to his Cheshire estates. He took part in the formation of the Cheshire Provincial Cavalry  in 1798 and was commanding officer of the Western Cheshire Yeomanry raised in 1803. He married Anne, daughter of Ralf Sneyd of Keele, Staffs on 20 September 1786 when he was 32.  They had five daughters and two boys. It is the boys who interest us because some of the waistcoats and breeches bought would have been worn by them. Thomas (1794 – 1810) who died unmarried  age 16 and John Anthony (1821-1798) who died in India aged 23.



 


Cataloguing

The ivory satin with horizontal bands woven with purple spots in a double meander, alternating with plain ivory bands, the high stand up collar 2 in; 5 cm with brocade revers, eleven ivory silk covered flat buttons worked in a star effect, (one set missing), two welted pockets, the back of cream worsted wool, back side insrtions of cotton, the front facings of plain twill weave silk, lined with cotton



Underarm 42 in; 1.07 m



Nape to hem 24 in; 62 cm


Condition

One set of buttons are missing and you can see the slight holes/indentation on the satin where they have been. I would imagine the back narrow side insertions were used to expand the waistcoat when the wearer grew larger.