Artwork

Gilet aux plumes de paon, projets de broderies de gilet, XVIIIème siècle

Gilet aux plumes de paon, projets de broderies de gilet, XVIIIème siècle is a drawing by Anonyme. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Palais Galliera - Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris.

About this work

Overview

The drawing, attributed to an anonymous hand and dated to around 1750, is a design sketch for a men’s vest richly embroidered with peacock feather motifs. Preserved in the Museum of Ethnography, the paper fragment records a proposed decorative scheme rather than a finished garment, offering insight into eighteenth‑century textile planning.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on stylised peacock plumage interwoven with floral elements and swirling arabesques. The arrangement of feathers in orderly rows suggests a celebration of exotic luxury, while the surrounding blossoms and curvilinear forms balance the composition, reflecting contemporary tastes for elaborate, nature‑inspired ornamentation in elite dress.

Technique & Style

Executed as a flat sketch, the design employs fine line work to delineate stitching zones, with a yellow border punctuated by tiny decorative motifs. The interior pattern is rendered in a palette of blues, pinks, and greens, indicating the intended thread colours. The orderly grid of motifs reveals a methodical approach to embroidery planning typical of the Rococo period.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1750, the fragment entered the Museum of Ethnography’s collection as part of its holdings on historical costume and textile arts. Its anonymous authorship reflects the collaborative nature of workshop production, where designers often remained unnamed while contributing to fashionable court attire.

Context

During the mid‑eighteenth century, French aristocratic fashion embraced lavishly embroidered garments, with peacock feathers symbolising status and opulence. Such design drawings served as templates for skilled embroiderers, bridging the gap between artistic conception and the labor‑intensive execution required for high‑society attire.