Dress and Matching Petticoat
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Emma Thomson
(American, died 1910)
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1909
MediumMachine-stitched silk and cotton, with machine-made cotton lace, cut steel buttons, metal hooks and eyes, and plastic boning
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (center front length x width across shoulders): 60 x 17 1/4in. (152.4 x 43.8cm)
Hem (dress circumference): 157in. (398.8cm)
Component (center front length x hem circumference of petticoat): 41 3/4 x 79in. (106 x 200.7cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Raymond and Phylis Russell Dexter
Object number2002.24.1a,b
DescriptionWoman's day dress (.a) of soft, black silk. The bodice of the dress has an inset at the center front, extending into a high, standing collar, of ecru cotton chemical lace. Four narrow black velvet ribbons cross the inset at the chest; the ends appear fastened with small, cut steel buttons. The black silk dress fabric around the inset is bound with pale aqua velvet fabric. This fabric also binds the neckband edge. Around the bodice inset, on the black silk, is stitched a design of leaves and grapes (?) made with black silk braid and cording. Cotton chemical lace undersleeves extend beyond shorter sleeves of the black silk, which are constructed with several horizontal pleats around the arm. The black silk is also pleated at the shoulderline, with the fullness released and then pleated at the waistline again. The waist is encircled by a double bias band of self-fabric. The dress opens at the center back; it is fastened with hooks and eyes. Two rosettes decorate the center back waistband. The pleats of the skirt are stitched down for ten inches and then the fullness is released. The bodice is lined with black polished cotton; all seams are boned. The chest area, neckband, and under sleeves are lined with ecru silk. The neckband is boned.
The petticoat (.b) has a flared flounce around the bottom. It is set smoothly into the narrow waistband in front and around the hips and gathered at center back. It is lined with black cotton fabric. It fastens at center back with a hook and eye.
NotesHistorical Note: This dress was made for Emma Thomson Wyper in San Francisco in 1908-1909. She was born in Dunedin, New Zealand and immigrated to Hartford, Connecticut in 1890 to marry James Wyper. (He became Vice President of Hartford Accident and Indemnity and Hartford Fire.) The dress was made for a return visit Emma Thomson Wyper made to New Zealand in 1909-1910. A head injury that she sustained during rough seas on her return to America eventually claimed her life in 1910.The petticoat (.b) has a flared flounce around the bottom. It is set smoothly into the narrow waistband in front and around the hips and gathered at center back. It is lined with black cotton fabric. It fastens at center back with a hook and eye.
Status
Not on view
