Pair of braces of silk satin, covered with silk net embroidered with coloured silks and wools in cross-stitch, and gilt metal beads, with elastic, leather and steel buckles. The decoration is of repeating stems of red and yellow fuchsias, arranged in vertical rows. The straps are elasticated with white leather tips. Braces were introduced with trousers in the early 19th century. Trousers were fairly loose at the waist and braces provided necessary support. They were often elaborately decorated, as in this example, which is covered with net and embroidered in a variety of materials. The first elastics, made of rubber, were introduced in the 1830s and often used on braces. Pair of gentleman's braces, embroidered silk satin, Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, 1847