Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Harriette Yale Merriman
(American, 1842 - 1919)
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1866
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk, cotton, and wool, with silk lace, faux pearls, wool hem tape, brass hooks and eyes, unidentified boning (probably baleen) and silk-covered ferrous metal buttons
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (center back length x width across shoulders): 72 x 18in. (182.9 x 45.7cm)
Hem (circumference including hem): 183in. (464.8cm)
Other (center front length): 54 1/2in. (138.4cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
Object number1986.227.0a-b
DescriptionWoman's beige silk taffeta wedding dress (a) with a sash (b). The dress has a high, round neckline with a 5/8-inch-wide band collar, and dropped armscye seams. It is decorated around the neck in a square in front, continuing in a shallow "V" in back, with a bias strip of ecru silk satin edged with delicate bobbin-type lace (blond lace). Faux pearls are stitched at about one-inch intervals along the satin strip. This same type of decoration appears at the top of the shoulder, and on the sleeve wrist openings. The dress closes at center front with nine ecru satin-covered buttons (three are missing), and additionally with three hooks and eyes at the bottom of the bodice. The bodice is fitted with two 5 1/2-inch-long darts on either side of the bodice opening; these darts are boned. The bodice is lined with undyed twill-woven cotton.
The skirt is flat at center front, pleated over the hips, and cartridge-pleated at center back. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side. The skirt is lined with tan glazed cotton, and the hem is faced with a six-inch band of coarse wool moire. The bottom edge of the skirt is bound with wool tape.
A separate sash (b) circles the waist. The belt section is made of the beige taffeta, bound with the ecru satin; it closes with hooks and eyes (mostly missing). A bow mounted at center back is made with two loops of the taffeta and one loop of the satin, with the center of satin. Two long tails of the taffeta bound with the satin hang from the bow.
NotesHistorical Notes: This wedding dress was worn by Harriette Yale Merriman at her wedding to John L. Billard in 1868.The skirt is flat at center front, pleated over the hips, and cartridge-pleated at center back. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side. The skirt is lined with tan glazed cotton, and the hem is faced with a six-inch band of coarse wool moire. The bottom edge of the skirt is bound with wool tape.
A separate sash (b) circles the waist. The belt section is made of the beige taffeta, bound with the ecru satin; it closes with hooks and eyes (mostly missing). A bow mounted at center back is made with two loops of the taffeta and one loop of the satin, with the center of satin. Two long tails of the taffeta bound with the satin hang from the bow.
Status
Not on view
