Objects Database

Lederhosen- leather breeches

Accession Number

1531.2020.1

Object Name

Lederhosen- leather breeches

Created

09/06/2020

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

09/06/2020

Brief Description

Pair of suede leather breeches with three small and three larger pockets. Slot below one pocket. Seven buttons on waistband and a one button fly with drop front cod piece.

Materials

Suede leather

Dimensions

44(L) x 46(W) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Colour

Grey with green piping

Provenance

Nowadays we associate lederhosen with Bavarian Beer Festivals where they have almost become fancy dress, though they were once the regular workwear of peasant farmers in the Alps of Austria and Germany. We can’t help but compare lederhosen with the plaid and kilt of the Scottish Highlands whereby the practical, everyday dress, made from very local materials, has become a national dress.
Lederhosen were traditionally made from deerskin, though chamois leather was also popular as it was soft and comfortable to wear. Different areas had slightly different designs though the drop front cod piece was pretty universal and whilst nowadays it seems rather odd we need to remember that zips were not invented until the 1890’s.
Having been kindly donated by our good friend, Dr Chris Robinson, this pair have undergone exxtensive cleaning and fumigation but still look a bit ‘distressed’. Chris bought them to wear as a budding alpiniste in his youth.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Dr. Chris Robinson

Acquisition Date

09/06/2020

Condition Check Date

09/06/2020

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

09/06/2020

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