Wedding Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Alice Elizabeth Daniels
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date9 November 1871
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk and cotton, with silk fringe, unidentified boning (non-ferrous metal), silk-covered ferrous metal buttons, wool hem tape and metal hooks and eyes
DimensionsBodice (front length x width across shoulders): 36 1/2 x 16in. (92.7 x 40.6cm)
Skirt (back of skirt length x hem circumference): 49 1/2 x 132in. (125.7 x 335.3cm)
Skirt (front of skirt length): 41in. (104.1cm)
Other (skirt circumference at waist): 25in. (63.5cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Katharine Beebe
Object number1973.93.1a-b
DescriptionWoman's teal blue silk day dress consisting of a bodice (a) and a skirt (b). The polonaise-style bodice is trimmed around the back of the shoulders, down the front, and over the hips (imitating the outline of a hip-length bodice), with a self-fabric ruffle gathered on a cord, over a vandyke trim, also of self-fabric; both elements have edges bound with bias self-fabric. Below the trim over the hips is a silk fringe of approximately the same color. The polonaise skirt of the bodice extends to about above-knee length in front; it is 12 inches longer in back. The bottom edge of the polonaise is trimmed also with the self-ruffle and vandyke edging. Two knotted cord medallions with tassels are stitched, one above the other, at the center front of the polonaise. The neckline is high and round, and the shoulderline is dropped. The bodice closes at center front with nine dome-shaped buttons covered with knotted blue silk thread. The coat sleeves are trimmed at the wrist openings with the ruffle and a double row of the vandyke edging. The polonaise is gathered and draped up in the back, using wool tapes stitched on the inside. Silk cord medallions with tassels embellish the back of the shoulders, back of the hips, and center back of the polonaise. The bodice is lined with brown twill-woven cotton. The front darts and side seams are boned. A linen tape petersham hooks around the waist to relieve stress on the seams.
The skirt is flat in front, pleated over the hips, and cartridge-pleated across the back. It is gathered on a cord in back to form a bustle. It closes at center back with a large hook and eye. The skirt is trimmed around knee level with the same self-fabric ruffle and vandyke trim that appears on the polonaise bodice. Below this is a flounce with vandyke edge, over a pleated flounce encircling the bottom of the skirt. The bottom edge of the base of the skirt is bound with wool tape. The skirt is lined with glazed tan cotton, with an additional 8 1/2-inch-wide lining of stiff, coated cotton around the hem. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side.
NotesHistorical Note: Alice Elizabeth Daniels married Russell Bunce (her first husband) on 9 November 1871 in Saint John's Church in Hartford, Connecticut.The skirt is flat in front, pleated over the hips, and cartridge-pleated across the back. It is gathered on a cord in back to form a bustle. It closes at center back with a large hook and eye. The skirt is trimmed around knee level with the same self-fabric ruffle and vandyke trim that appears on the polonaise bodice. Below this is a flounce with vandyke edge, over a pleated flounce encircling the bottom of the skirt. The bottom edge of the base of the skirt is bound with wool tape. The skirt is lined with glazed tan cotton, with an additional 8 1/2-inch-wide lining of stiff, coated cotton around the hem. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side.
Status
On view
Object/Object
