Object Record
Images
Additional Images [18]
Metadata
Object ID # |
1995.053.001ab |
Object Name |
Suit |
Title |
Archibald MacCuaig's Wedding Coat & Vest (1885) |
Lexicon category |
3: Personal Artifacts |
Date |
1885 |
Year Range from |
1885 |
Year Range to |
1885 |
Made |
Unknown |
Place of Origin |
Grey County, Ontario? |
Description |
Man's black suit coat and matching vest. A. Coat: The edges of the black coat are trimmed with plain black cloth tape. The cuff areas each have one horizontal band of black cloth tape for decoration. The coat is lined with black fabric inside, while the sleeves are lined with white fabric. There is a notched, small collar on the coat. There is a left-hand chest pocket, which is also edged with black cloth tape. There are four buttons, which are 1.9 cm in diameter. They are made of black fabric mounted in round metal pieces, with thread shanks rather than metal shanks attaching them to the coat. The right-hand side has an inner slit pocket. There is a black elastic hanging strap sewn on at the nape area. There is a horizontal waist seam, which creates a slight skirting effect. The bottom is curved at the front, suggesting that it is cut-away for showing the vest a bit? The back has a central vertical seam and two curved seams. There is also a side panel under each arm. Two buttons (like the front ones) are attached to the back to add decoration. The back of the skirt of the coat has a 33 cm long vent. The underarm area of the lining is stuffed (perhaps wool or kapok). It almost seems as if there is a quilted, padded quality to the interior. There is no tailor's identification present. B. Vest: The vest has two lower pockets, as well as another pocket above the lower left side one. The vest has a black front, while a brownish, drab fabric is used for the back. The lining likely was once white-coloured fabric. There are two short side splits (intentional). The vest has the same black cloth tape edging decoration as the coat. There are six buttons for closure, and a hook (no metal eye for it though). The buttons are similar to the coat buttons, but are only 1.6 cm in diameter. No tailor's identification is present. |
Provenance |
Maker unknown. Archibald MacCuaig (1854-1929) wore this suit on February 4, 1885, when he married Elizabeth McLeod (1866-1909), in Glenelg Township, Grey County. It may have belonged to his father, Finlay MacCuaig (1810-1899) before his son had used it in 1885. It was likely worn many times after the wedding. The MacCuaig farm was known as "Glen Islay Farm" and was situated on Lots 37 and 38, Concession 2, south of the Durham Road, Glenelg Township. There is information about the MacCuaigs in A HISTORY OF GLENELG TOWNSHIP, 1985, pp. 313-314. The farm was in McCuaig possession from 1851 to 1967. Last owned Pearl L. (MacCuaig) McCallum of Durham, Grey County. |
Collection |
Textiles, 19th-c Clothing Collection, Men's |
Material |
Wool?/Cotton/Metal/Elastic/Thread/Dye |
Dimensions |
L-87.7 cm |
Found |
Durham, Municipality of West Grey, Grey County |
People |
MacCuaig, Archibald McCallum (nee MacCuaig), Pearl Lillian MacCuaig, Elizabeth |
Subjects |
Glenelg Township Weddings |
Search Terms |
Glenelg Township |