Stockings

Currently not on view

Stockings

Late 18th century

Artist/maker unknown, French

For centuries, while women's legs were covered by long skirts, fashionable men wore breeches and showed off their legs in fine knit stockings. Beginning in the late sixteenth century, stockings were made on mechanical knitting machines. By the late eighteenth century, technical advances made the production of stripes and zigzags possible and these patterns were the rage in both feminine and masculine fashions. The man who wore these eye-catching silk stockings would have made sure his legs were positioned in a graceful attitude.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Stockings

Date:

Late 18th century

Artist:

Artist/maker unknown, French

Medium:

Silk knit

Dimensions:

26 3/8 x 5 3/8 inches (67 x 13.7 cm)

Classification:

Costume (including accessories)

Credit Line:

Gift of A. W. Bahr, 1930

Accession Number:

1930-8-1a,b

Geography:

Made in France, Europe

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Currently not on view