Tabard def. a herald’s official coat emblazoned with the arms of the sovereign (Oxford English Dictionary)
Herald def. an official employed to oversee state ceremonial, precedence, and the use of armorial bearings, and (historically) to make proclamations, carry official messages, and oversee tournaments. (Oxford English Dictionary)
John Ives (1751 – 1776) was made Suffolk Herald of Arms Extraordinary in 1774, this brightly coloured garment is divided into quarters and each section represents a country in this instance the Fleur de lis of France, the harp of Wales, the lions of England and Scotland and the Sovereigns Arms in the lower right corner, which in this instance is for Queen Anne (Hanover and Imperial Crown).
The bright raspberry pink is the silk taffeta lining, the tabard is laid face down while the holes and splits in the lining are supported with dyed, fine Nylon net and polyester thread. While the tabard is flat, localised humidification is taking place to ease some of the hard creases which have formed through the sleeves and down the centre line of both front and back section. The creases are from many years storage prior to coming into the collection.