Wedding Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Mary Warner Pierpont
(American, born about 1858)
Clothing MakerMade by
Allie W. Pickett
Date1883
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk and cotton, with baleen boning, ferrous metal hooks and eyes, cotton or linen lace, wool tape, tagua nut button, and thread-covered wooden (probably) buttons
DimensionsBodice (center back length x width across shoulders): 25 1/2 x 15in. (64.8 x 38.1cm)
Bodice (center front length): 21in. (53.3cm)
Skirt (center front length x waist circumference): 37 1/2 x 28in. (95.3 x 71.1cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. George R. Hall, Sr.
Object number1956.5.19a-b
DescriptionWoman's two-piece dress, consisting of a bodice (a) and skirt (b), of chocolate brown silk with brown velvet. The basque bodice extends to the the hips and dips at center front. It is fitted with two long vertical darts on either side of the center front opening, which is covered with a velvet plastron. The opening fastens with fifteen buttons which are covered with light brown crocheted thread. (One button has been replaced with a tagua nut button.) The neckline of the bodice is high and round, finished with a one-inch-wide band collar of the velvet. The shoulderline is at the natural height, and the sleeves are long and tight. Brown velvet turn-back cuffs are edged on the inside with ecru bobbin-type lace. This lace also appears inside the collar. (The lace may not be original to the dress.) The center back and curved side back seams of the bodice open into box pleats below the waistline. The back of the bodice is longer than the front, extending into a wide, squared-off skirt. The bottom edge of the bodice is piped. Brown twill-woven cotton is used for lining the bodice body; the brown silk dress fabric lines the back extension. The front seams are all boned. Dress shields are mounted inside the lower armscye.
The dress is draped asymmetrically across the front; this drapery is fitted closely to the body. A velvet panel edges the proper left side of the drapery, and on the right, the brown silk is pulled up in pleats along the side. The fabric of the back the skirt is deeply box-pleated to accommodate a bustle. Extending from underneath the drapery is a layer of the brown silk finished with long, curved points. The bottom of the skirt is circumscribed by a six-inch pleated flounce, with every fifth pleat pulled up to create a fan effect. The bottom of the skirt is edged with brown wool tape. The lining is brown plain-woven cotton, with an extra layer of brown glazed twill-woven cotton around the hem. The waistband is made of the plain brown cotton; it closes with two hooks and eyes.
NotesHistorical Note: Mary Warner Pierpont of Waterbury, Connecticut, married Charles Sommers Miller on 22 November 1883. The wedding took place at 7 a.m. at Mill Plain Chapel in Union, Connecticut. The ceremony was performed by Reverend Micow.The dress is draped asymmetrically across the front; this drapery is fitted closely to the body. A velvet panel edges the proper left side of the drapery, and on the right, the brown silk is pulled up in pleats along the side. The fabric of the back the skirt is deeply box-pleated to accommodate a bustle. Extending from underneath the drapery is a layer of the brown silk finished with long, curved points. The bottom of the skirt is circumscribed by a six-inch pleated flounce, with every fifth pleat pulled up to create a fan effect. The bottom of the skirt is edged with brown wool tape. The lining is brown plain-woven cotton, with an extra layer of brown glazed twill-woven cotton around the hem. The waistband is made of the plain brown cotton; it closes with two hooks and eyes.
Status
Not on view
