Garter made from woven silk, inscribed 'I love not this world in which thou must not stay, but love that treasure that abides away.'Woven silk garter, England, ca. 1750.Silk Stockings
These luxurious embroidered silk stockings were imported from Spain. 18th-century men's stockings are hard to distinguish from women's, except by size, which can be an unreliable guide.
Both sexes supported their stockings with garters, tied around the leg just above or below the knee. Garters were intimate items of clothing. Political or personal messages were sometimes incorporated in their design.
Stockings
Spain, mid 18th century
Hand-knitted silk, embroidered with silk
V&A: T.156&A-1971
Given by Miss B. Hinton
Garter, woven with the verse, 'I love not this world in which thou must not stay, but love that treasure that abides away'
Britain, about 1750
Silk
V&A: T.433-1970
Given by Mr K. L. Stock [16/04/2016-12/03/2017]