Eleonora di Toledo used these (probably) in the early yaers of her infection with TB (Circa 1550). She insisted on being out in public with her husband Duke Cosimo I de Medici and she wore these under her gowns so her posture would stay erect. It is possible that she was worried bad posture might set off a coughing fit-- perhaps she did not wish to appear ill or weak.
Best regards- Monica Monica Spence -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Cin Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 7:04 PM To: h-cost Subject: re: [h-cost] iron corset There's a line in Eleanora di Firenza's accounts that shows she ordered two. One is in either the Bargello or the Palazzo Vecchio collection in Florence. I saw it last summer. The docent there claimed the steel corset was ordered as an orthotic, rather like a backbrace. Another is in the Italian Rennaissance exhibit at the V&A London. This one I saw 2 weeks ago, tho I dont recall the owning organization. Both of these corsets are steel. The catalog for "At Home in the Italian Rennaissance" states the corset is from the Museo Stibbert collection, provenance unknown. The catalog says this corset is for a 65cm bust. You'll find papers and original docs referenced in each of these catalogs. I've never seen anything on iron corsets. --cin Cynthia Barnes [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 10:36 AM To: Historical Costume Subject: [h-cost] iron corset I'm trying to find information on the iron corsets that show up in museum collections and shocking costume- or corset-history websites. Specifically, I'm trying to track down sources for some of the information that is bandied about (without references) online. For example, is there any written evidence that Catherine de Medici ever wore one, for example? Are there documents regarding her (supposed) insistance that the ladies of her court maintain a 13 inch waist? I've heard of an account of a 16th century doctor having one made as a back brace, does anybody know where this came from? Emma _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list h-costume@mail.indra.com http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
