Wrapper and Fabric Fragments

Original OwnerOriginally owned by a member of the Tilton family

Clothing MakerMade by Unknown

Dateabout 1860

MediumHand-stitched wool and cotton, with shell buttons

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width): 58 x 19in. (147.3 x 48.3cm) Hem (circumference): 135in. (342.9cm)

ClassificationsCostume

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Arthur V. R. Tilton

Object number1959.4.3a-h

DescriptionWoman's wrapper or maternity dress (.a) of two different printed wool twills. The wrapper opens down the entire center front; it closes with eight dark shell buttons (two are missing). The front panel on either side of the opening is made of brown and blue printed stripe and falls straight from the shoulders. The round, fall-down collar is 2 1/2 inches wide and is also made of the striped fabric. The rest of the wrapper is made of a red, blue, lavender, and green floral print on a dark brown background. The coat sleeves end in wide, notched cuffs of the brown and blue striped fabric, with a decorative button at each corner. The skirt is cartridge-pleated around the waistline from either side of the straight front panel. The waistline is controlled by a drawstring across the back, which ties around the waist and thus keeps the dress fitted against the back, while the front hangs loosely. The front of the wrapper is lined with a blue and brown striped coral and floral-printed cotton; the rest of the wrapper is lined with a brown and white floral vine-printed cotton. There is a patch pocket of the brown print on the left side of the wrapper lining.

.b-.h: extra fabric of the floral print. Piece ".c" is recognizable as a cuff; it is lined with tan glazed cotton.

Status

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