man's outfit (blanket, breech clout, legging, collar)

man's outfit (blanket, breech clout, legging, collar)

man's outfit (blanket, breech clout, legging, collar)

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Introduction

Man's suit of clothing consisting of blanket, breech cloth & leggings. One of the leggings was altered and turned in to a collar.

Date Made or Date Range: Late 18 C to Early 19 C
Materials

red stroud cloth, coloured silk ribbon, black grosgrain ribbon, size 8 white beads

Techniques or Format

blanket has parallel rows of appliqued uncut ribbons along the lower third with linear beadwork sewn on to blanket at outer edges, breech clout has ribbon work with linear beadwork sewn on blanket between rows, legging and collar have two rows of ribbon appliqued to outer edge with linear beadwork sewn on top of ribbons, collar has been refashioned from one of the leggings, the legging has a slit for a garter bordered with blanket stitch embroidery

Additional Context

Cory: Haudenoshaunee leggings from this period open down the front, yet the side flap on this legging suggests the outfit is of Anishnaabe origin.

Other Notes

Extensive treatment in conservation Ribbon has been conserved to arrest fraying. Pieces have been treated to stabilize moth damage. (Museum has conservation records.)

Condition: Breech cloth has creases as if it had been worn. Some loss of beadwork on all pieces. Ribbons faded. Note use of selvage.
Cory: The stroud cloth is of very poor quality and on a fur trade record it would be called "common stroud."
Reasons for connecting this relative with particular times, materials, styles and uses

late 18th or early 19th century

Current Location: National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh
Catalogue, Accession or Reference Number: A.1982.302A-E
Collection Narratives and Histories

Sold by Messiter family through auction house

GKS Reference Number: 26850
How to Cite this Item

Unknown artist, man's outfit (blanket, breech clout, legging, collar). Currently at National Museums Scotland, A.1982.302A-E. Item photographed and described as part of a GRASAC research trip December 2007 in which the author took part; GRASAC item id 26850.

Record Creation Notes/Observations

9 Apr 2007 Ruth Phillips, On-site researchers: Cory Willmott, Heidi Bohaker, Laura Peers, Ruth Phillips, Keith Jamieson, Alan Corbiere, Henrietta Lidchi, Robert Storrie, Chantal Knowles, Brenda McGoff

Approximate Place of Origin

43.0703, -80.1184

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