Synthetic whalebone

A three meter length of polyacetal synthetic whalebone, used to give structure in modern corsetry. Whalebone, or more acurately baleen, was used extensively in the 19th century clothing industry to give structure to corsety and to support the shape created by tight lacing. Baleen is the keratinous material found in the upper jaw of baleen whales, used to filter plankton and krill. It was strong and flexible and could be cut into narrow strips along the grain.

AIBDC : 008365