Baptismal Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Annie Louise Smith
(American, born 1849)
Clothing MakerMade by
Cordelia Smith
Clothing MakerMade by
Lucinda Hart
Date1849
MediumHand-stitched cotton, thread-covered bone buttons, and linen tapes
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across top): 40 x 12in. (101.6 x 30.5cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of the Heirs of Theodora Talcott Slater
Object number1978.1.992
DescriptionInfant's dress of white cotton, with a wide, square neckline controlled by a drawstring. The bodice front has a V-shaped insertion made of rows of whitework and drawn thread embroidery connected by faggoting. Edging this panel is a narrow embroidered ruffle. The short sleeves consist mainly of one strip of embroidery matching the bodice, edged along the shoulder and around the opening with scalloped whitework. The bodice and skirt are made separately and are basted together at the waistband. The waistband around the bottom of the bodice is overlaid with the embroidered band. The skirt is closely gathered into its own plain waistband. The hem is 7 1/2 inches deep and it is topped with a row of the embroidered insertion and faggoting. The bottom of the skirt is edged with the scalloped and drawn thread whitework, attached by faggoting. The center back of the dress is open for eleven inches; it fastens with the drawstrings at the waist, and with a single, thread-covered button and tape loop at the neckline. There are six drawstrings in the neckline across the back, which draw towards the shoulders, not to the center back.
NotesHistorical Note: Lucinda Hart Smith and her half-sister, Cordelia Smith, made this dress for Lucinda's daughter. Annie Louise Smith was born in October 1849; she was baptised in the dress.Status
Not on view
