What is a stomacher in jewellery?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
A stomacher is a large decorative jewelled ornament worn pinned to the front of a bodice, typically filling the triangular area from the neckline down to the waist. Fashionable from the 17th through to the 19th century, stomachers were often elaborate confections of diamonds, coloured gems and gold or silver wirework, and they were among the most magnificent jewels of their era, reserved for royalty and the very wealthy. Many were designed in sections so the main centrepiece could be worn separately as a brooch.
Frequently asked questions
- How was a stomacher worn?
- It was pinned or stitched to the front panel of a bodice, covering the centre-front seam and filling the triangular area from the decolletage downward. Because they were large and heavy with gemstones and metalwork, they needed sturdy attachment to hold them in place.
- Are stomachers still made today?
- They are not part of modern everyday dress, but important examples survive in royal and museum collections. Occasionally a high jewellery house will create a contemporary interpretation, and historic stomachers appear at auction when royal or aristocratic estates are sold.
- What is a famous example of a stomacher?
- Many royal collections hold historic examples. The British Royal Family's collection includes several, and important stomachers from European courts have been broken up over the centuries and reset into brooches and pendants that are easier to wear with modern dress.
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