Gift of Mrs. Seth P. Holcombe and Mrs. Gilbert A. Wicke, 1981.26.7a-b, Connecticut Historical S…

Images(2)

Dress

Original OwnerPossibly originally owned by Mary Jane Buel (American, 1827 - 1884)

Dateabout 1845-1850

MediumHand-stitched silk and cotton, with brass hooks and eyes and unidentified wadding (probably cotton)

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (center front length x width across shoulders): 51 3/4 x 22 1/2in. (131.4 x 57.2cm)
Hem (circumference): 141in. (358.1cm)

ClassificationsCostume

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Seth P. Holcombe and Mrs. Gilbert A. Wicke

Description(a): Woman's evening dress of ecru silk with a fine woven rib. The bodice is styled with a long, pointed waist at center front and center back, very wide neckline, a dropped shoulderline, and three-inch-long sleeves. The neckline, armscye seams, and waistline are self-piped. The bodice is fitted with four eleven-inch-long, slightly diagonal, boned darts that continue over the bust, pushing it up and to the sides, while flattening it somewhat. The resulting hollow area above the bust is filled with wadded pads attached to the lining to give the bodice a smoother fit. The bodice and sleeves are lined with plain-woven, glazed, white cotton. The sleeves originally had a fine silk net embellishment around the edges, but this remains in only a few clumped fragments. The center back closes with hooks and eyes. The right edge of the opening and the side seams are boned.

The skirt is very full; it is cartridge-pleated all around the waist, following the point in the back but stitched straight across the point in front. The skirt is fully lined with the glazed white cotton.

(b): Extra silk fabric matching the dress. It measures 23 1/2 inches wide x 42 inches at its greatest length.

Object number1981.26.7a-b

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