Creating the Shape of Georgian Beauty
Once deformity occurred, Sheldrake argued that the amelioration of such irregularities was imperative as “not only their appearance is disagreeable, but by impeding the function of viscera, they will in time destroy that balance of the constitution which is so necessary to health and longevity.”
Correcting deformity
Stay makers and truss makers of the mid to late eighteenth century flooded the market with a cornucopia of devices to train young people’s bodies—particularly those of young women—as one trained young plants to grow strong and straight, often using braces and other contraptions made of newly available cast steel.
Braces and other devices
Devices to improve posture and keep and individual ‘straight’ were as varied as the manufacturers who made them. Large pieces of metal called backirons were hidden at the back of clothing and prevented slouching. Steel collars forced wearers to obey mothers’ and governesses’ injunctions to keep heads up, sometimes assisted by shoulder braces which pulled shoulders back. Neck swings stretched the spine by suspending the ‘patient’ in a block and tackle type device so that only their toes touched the ground.
Education chairs which forced the ‘patient’ to balance in a small hard seat without a support to lean against while windlass contraptions and stretching chairs performed similarly to neck swing. Despite the discomfort and pain these devices caused, they were widely sold throughout the eighteenth century.
As the century drew to a close and the nineteenth century dawned, a shift of perspective occurred leaning toward a more natural beauty, unencumbered by the rigorous management and training of the previous generations.
At least we know where and how some of these devices came to be invented and why.
My mother bought a “harness” device for me and it chafed the front of my shoulders horribly. I still do not have straight posture…sadly. I have always been embarrassed by my body due to comments by other girls as a teen…wide hips and small breasts, long legs and a short torso.
Goodness, it’s a wonder anyone survived the contraptions. Thanks for sharing… stay safe and healthy.