We have fully embraced Olympic Fever here at the FIDM Museum, and we are eager to share sporting objects in our Collection that correspond with the Games! Today we're highlighting an early 19th century coat worn by the Royal Company of Archers in Scotland. Archery made its Olympic debut 1900 (with a women's category added four years later), though it is one of the oldest documented sports in history. The Olympic archers of 2016 wear purely practical clothing - athletic fabrics meant to protect from all types of weather conditions, and above all not interfere with an archer's form. However, nearly two hundred years earlier, the Royal Company of Archers wore a far more fashionable silhouette. 

Archery Coat
Scotland, c. 1822
Museum Purchase: Funds provided by Tonian Hohberg
2015.5.52

Crowned in 1820, King George IV (1762-1830) had an immense interest in fashion, and began overseeing the redesign of formal court attire even before his coronation. This Royal Company of Archers uniform coat, designed in 1822, is a rare surviving example of his sartorial influence. Wearers served as the King’s ceremonial body guard during his sojourns to Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland. Probably worn at a formal Archery Ball rather than on the playing field, its “Sherwood Forest” green color references the gallant medieval stories of Robin Hood and his merry band of expert archers, symbolized by the crossed arrows in the center of each gilt button.

The gilt buttons read "Royal Archers" around the edges and "Kings Body Guard" in the center.

You can see this piece on display in ManMode: Dressing the Male Ego until December 23. Meanwhile, tune into our social media accounts to see more Olympic-worthy objects!