Corset (front)
British
1883
Red sateen, leather and whalebone with a steel spoon-shaped busk
Museum no T.84-1980

The Steel busk defined the front of the garment. On this corset the spoon-shaped busk is wider at the bottom than at the top. This was supposed to equalise pressure on the abdomen, making the corset more wearable. In reality, it could make it more restricting as the corset could be pulled in more at the waist.

View the back of the corset