Waistcoat

Brown silk crepe single breasted waistcoat embellished with blue embroidery. It has a low cut neckline with curved lapels (with hidden button to secure each lapel) and a curved hem line, dipping lower in front than back. There is a pair of welt pockets either side of centre front. The blue trim embroidery is hand worked in a circular-knot pattern down the lapels, front, and pockets. The brown buttons are also embroidered in a blue thread. There is a pair of ties with a metal buckle at back waist for adjusting the fit.

The waistcoat once belonged to the Prince Consort Albert (1819-1861) and the hand work is said to have been done by his daughter Princess Alice (1843-1878). Alice was the third of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s nine children; Alice went on to nurse her father through the final days of his fatal illness and then became Victoria’s unofficial secretary for a period of time following Albert’s death.