Silk Trousers with Band in Running Stitch

Silk trousers with wide legs, decorated with white embroidery around the side pockets and the lower part. Bottom embroidery patterns feature top and bottom registers with alternating wreath-like forms and vegetal sprays that are larger on top and smaller below. A narrow band with floral patterns separates the two main registers. Unlike other examples, these trousers are not trimmed with lace at the bottom. The silk damask fabric is probably imported from China. Nineteenth-century paintings portray male officials in Manila with titles such as principales and gobernadorcillos wearing these dark blue trousers. (Florina H. Capistrano-Baker)

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