Waistcoat panel
1750–60
Some silks were professionally embroidered in the shape of the intended garment, as with this waistcoat front. The tailor then cut and sewed the textile to fit his client. French silks were highly desirable and heavily taxed when imported to Britain. This silk was smuggled into Britain and seized by customs officials at Dover, who stamped it on the reverse.
France
Silk, embroidered with silk
Stamped ‘Customs House/Seized Dover/GR II’ [09/12/2015]