Mauve Embroidered Velvet Coat

This heavily embroidered velvet frock coat is yet another example of what makes the collection of the Royal Swedish Opera unique.

The garments used in the opera, theater, and ballet are pieces whose origins are castoffs from the aristocracy. At the time, it was the opera that audiences came to see. The ballet in its inception was an amuse-bouche of sorts; a small thing performed prior to the start of the opera itself.

This frock coat is fashioned from horizontal corduroy velvet and adorned with intricate embroidery on what I have come to think of as transition surfaces. Edges of plackets, pockets, covered buttons and cuffs are all opportunities for adornment. The small cream line that outlines all of the green-lined edges is made up of tiny conjoined circles. The wear on the cuff along with the battered and bruised silk lining off set the aesthetic of an otherwise perfect piece. They are reminders that these garments were worn and used for years.