A man’s court coat of lilac ribbed silk with a 1½-inch standing collar and curving 2-piece sleeves end in cuffs, 4¼ (10.7 cm) inches deep. The fronts curve from neck to hem with pleats 4½ inches (11.4 cm) deep, below the hip set beside the centre back. Each front has a pocket with scalloped pocket flap; the centre-back seam is open below the hip. The coat is lined with white silk twill. The coat is embroidered with silk floss in shades of blue, pink, green, terracotta and white, in a pattern of lace bows and flowers, on the collar, cuffs and pocket flaps, along the front edges, pleats and centre-back opening and around the pockets. There were 7 embroidered buttons (4 now missing) along the right front edge, 3 below each pocket and 1 at the top and hem of the pleats. The coat was probably worn for the theatre or fancy dress in the late 19th century. The lining of the coat is patched; two buttonholes for the top 2 buttons were added on the left front. The sleeves and side seams have been let out. M, court, 1780s, French; Faded purple ribbed silk, floral embroidery, altered 1870-1900