Polonaise
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1870-1875
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk and cotton, with silk-covered ferrous metal buttons
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (center back length x width across shoulders): 48 1/2 x 15 1/2in. (123.2 x 39.4cm)
Other (center front length): 39 1/2in. (100.3cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Etta C. Chapman
Object number1952.16.0
DescriptionWoman's polonaise of twill-woven silk printed with scattered bouquets of lavender and pale blue flowers. The polonaise closes at center front with nine green ribbed silk-covered buttons; seven more non-functioning buttons continue down the center front to the bottom. A green silk grosgrain ribbon attaches to the bodice at the second button and is carried over the shoulders to behind the shoulders, where it is finished with a hanging loop and long, trailing tails. The neckline is high and round and finished with a narrow binding of self-fabric; the shoulderline is dropped and the armscye seams are piped. The polonaise is cut with a waist seam at the sides only; the front and back panels of the skirt are cut one with the bodice, so that an L-shaped seam is formed at the front and back of the hips. Two twelve-inch darts on either side of the opening extend from the bust to below the waistline. The sleeves end in a vandyke points bound with green silk, around the wrist openings and up the outside of the arm for about six inches. An edging of finely pleated organdy is stitched under the vandyke treament, so that it appears between the points. The bottom edge of the polonaise also has the vandyke points bound with green silk. The back of the polonaise is longer than the front; it is full, having inverted box pleats at the seams on either side of the center back. Also, the back skirt panel is pleated into the side back seams, creating more fullness. The sides of the polonaise are pleated up and held in place by four green silk-covered buttons.
The polonaise is lined with plain white cotton in the bodice and brown glazed cotton in the skirt.
The polonaise is lined with plain white cotton in the bodice and brown glazed cotton in the skirt.
Status
Not on view
