Formerly of the Lansdowne family and on loan to the National Museums of Scotland in the 1990s. Thought to have been acquired by marriage to the Elphinstone family in the 19th century. Purchased 7 October 2003 at Sothebys. Historical significance: This is an example of the short-waisted doublet worn by men in Britain between 1650 and 1665. It is a particularly lavish example of fabric and lace made of silver gilt metal thread. Portraits of the period show these doublets exposing the fine linen shirt worn below through the open seams of the sleeves and the doublet at the back as well as at the waist.