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Coat
Dark plum coloured silk velvet coat with gold and green embroidery, 1770s. Part of a three-piece suit worn by Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, 4th Baronet (1748-89). The silk velvet may have been purchased in Turin, Italy. Possibly worn at his coming of age party in 1770.
Cutaway front, pleated skirts, green silk satin lining to body, white linen-lined sleeves. Stand up collar, turned-up cuffs, pocket flaps, coat front and centre back are all elaborately embroidered with silk thread, gold, silver and green-coloured metal purl, metal sequins (some that have a gold and others that have a blue sheen) in a design of floral ribbons, forming borders and floral swags with tassels and bows. Some areas are padded/raised and covered with white and pink satin. The padding consists of either woven wool or paper/card. The coat’s embroidery matches that of the waistcoat. There are six large fabric-covered and embroidered buttons on the back of the coat, and two smaller fabric-covered and embroidered buttons on each cuff. Pocket flaps are lined with green satin, pockets themselves are lined with cream satin and grey linen. Pockets are subdivided into two compartments (front and back). Cuff turn-backs are lined with a strip of green satin and stiffened with hessian. Two metal hook and eye fastenings at upper centre front (c. 12cm apart). Some folds of the skirt at centre back have been stitched together. The velvet has a red and yellow selvage. Some wear on collar and signs of alteration on back of coat.