page_title: Casaquin
section_title: Lace in the 1700s
hierarchical_section_title: Casaquin / Construction / Lace in the 1700s
caption_attribution_description: Italian; Caraco;
context_page_description: A casaquin is a short-length closely fitted coat worn by middle and upper-class females during the 18th century. The garment was popular in both France and Italy. A Casaquin was made from linen which was then covered by embroidery, silk and lace to decorate. The design was influenced by religious beliefs or events as well reflecting on stylistic features of the time or individual designers. Casaquins were worn by a range of females from working-class women for practical purposes to upper-class ladies for social or ceremonious occasions. The Casaquin even influenced women from the Netherlands during the 18th century to introduce their own version of a Casaquin called a "Kassekijntje".
context_section_description: Lace was still a smaller industry with the majority of its production taking place within the homes of low-income agricultural families. It was produced by women and children using delicate threads which were twisted to create patterns and designs. Finer pieces of lace were crafted using metallic fabric in gold or silver using as many as 400 bobbins.
caption: This is another Casaquin (1785, Italian) in the Met Museum collection. It features silk cuffed sleeves which mimicked the gentleman's sleeves of the time and a fitted back.[19]
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