Zouave jacket

ID:

37.129/5

Production date:

c. 1865

Location:

In Store

This type of open-fronted, short jacket became popular in the mid-19th century. It was often called a 'Zouave' jacket after the uniform of French army regiments first raised in 1831 in Algeria and recruited from the Zouaoua (or Zwāwa), a tribe of Berbers, the indigenous ethnic groups living in North Africa. During the Crimean War (1853 – 1856) the Zoaves first fought outside of Algeria.  < ...Read more

This type of open-fronted, short jacket became popular in the mid-19th century. It was often called a 'Zouave' jacket after the uniform of French army regiments first raised in 1831 in Algeria and recruited from the Zouaoua (or Zwāwa), a tribe of Berbers, the indigenous ethnic groups living in North Africa. During the Crimean War (1853 – 1856) the Zoaves first fought outside of Algeria.

The jacket was part of a group of objects donated by two sisters in 1937. According to a note in the file, one of them remembered

'this worn during the sixties with a loose thin white blouse, called a Garribaldi & dark skirt, probably merino, which was a popular material then, finished with a wide lace collar, brooch and long gold watch chain.

I think the jacket may be French and date 1864-6 as Clara Pitt then journeyed to San Remo and used to return with French outfits, & French presents and gay things for small nieces and nephews.'

Clara Pitt (1824-1910) was the daughter of George Ashby Pitt (c. 1782-1832) and Ann Lonsdale (1786-1860) and presumably was the aunt of the two sisters donating the jacket. < Hide

Measurements

L 240 mm (centre front, straight edge); L 420 mm (centre back, entire length); C 840 mm (chest); L 360 mm (sleeve seam), L 410 mm (overall); W 380 mm (armpit to armpit) (overall)

Materials

wool; silk; metal

Last Updated

2024-03-26