Woman's Busk

Currently not on view

Woman's Busk

1768

Artist/maker unknown, American, Pennsylvania German

A busk made of rigid materials such as wood, metal, or baleen could be inserted down the front of a pair of stays to further ensure their uprightness and that any bending was done from the hips, not the waist. Sometimes busks were highly decorative, as this carved wooden example shows, often quite wide and thick; this was not meant to be functional but was made and given as a love token.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Woman's Busk

Date:

1768

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, American, Pennsylvania German

Medium:

Hickory with chip carving

Dimensions:

14 x 3 1/2 inches (35.6 x 8.9 cm)

Classification:

Costume (including accessories)

Credit Line:

Purchased with the Fashion Group Revolving Fund, 1976

Accession Number:

1976-5-6

Geography:

Made in Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

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Currently not on view