Item 2020.20 - Double Breasted Wool Facecloth Tailcoat

Dark blue fine wool facecloth (woven cloth with felted nap) tailcoat. It is double-breasted and fastens with four pairs of triple-gilt gold coloured metal buttons, engraved with a design of flowers and leaves. The coat has wide lapels with narrow V-notches edged in black cord and two extra decorative buttonholes on each lapel. The collar is very high at the back and is reinforced with rows of stab stitches to the underside.

The tails at the rear have two inverted pleats from the centre waistband with two of the same gilt buttons sewn to the top of the pleats and two at the bottom hem. There is a pocket concealed within the rear left tail. The cuffs are curved, trimmed with black cord and three smaller gilt buttons.

The main body of the coat is unlined except for the underarms which are padded and quilted with black cotton. The sleeves are lined in tan linen or cotton. It is entirely hand stitched.