Girl's Dress
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1876
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk and cotton, with silk-covered wooden buttons
DimensionsBodice (length x width across shoulders): 21 x 11in. (53.3 x 27.9cm)
Skirt (length x hem circumference): 18 1/4 x 71in. (46.4 x 180.3cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. J. H. K. Davis
Object number1953.53.23a,b
DescriptionGirl's two-piece dress, consisting of a bodice (.a) and skirt (.b), made of pale gray and light blue striped silk and golden brown silk. The cuirass bodice extends over the hips and has a high, round neckline. The center front panel, made of the gold silk, is flanked by revers of the striped silk ornamented with rows of diagonal faux buttonholes made of cording covered by the gold silk, and matching buttons. The elbow-length sleeves are bordered around the opening with a row of scalloped-edged gold silk over two rows of scalloped-edged striped silk, cut on the bias. Between each scallop, the frayed threads of the gold silk are stitched in tufts. Edging the sleeve opening is a row of finely pleated silk organza. A strip of the scalloped-edged gold silk is ruched around the bottom edge of the bodice. The edges of the revers and the bodice bottom edge are piped in the gold silk. The gold silk piping is inserted in the bodice back seams. The center back opening fastens with gold-silk-covered buttons. The bodice is lined with twill-woven cotton.
The skirt is flat in front and cartridge-pleated in back. It is decorated with three rows of the scalloped and tufted silk like the sleeves, headed by a row of the ruched and scalloped gold silk. There is a pocket on the right side, triangular shaped, with two flaps extending from the top, bound in the gold silk. Frayed threads of the gold silk outline the edges like a fringe. The skirt waistband is lined with the twill-woven cotton. The skirt is lined with plain, glazed white cotton.
Two streamers of scalloped-edged silk (one of each color) are pinned to the skirt, evidently to tie in a bow draped low over the back of the skirt. The front of the skirt is draped with a scalloped-edged band of the gold silk, 8 1/2 inches wide, but pleated across the width, so it appears about 6 1/2 inches wide.
The skirt is flat in front and cartridge-pleated in back. It is decorated with three rows of the scalloped and tufted silk like the sleeves, headed by a row of the ruched and scalloped gold silk. There is a pocket on the right side, triangular shaped, with two flaps extending from the top, bound in the gold silk. Frayed threads of the gold silk outline the edges like a fringe. The skirt waistband is lined with the twill-woven cotton. The skirt is lined with plain, glazed white cotton.
Two streamers of scalloped-edged silk (one of each color) are pinned to the skirt, evidently to tie in a bow draped low over the back of the skirt. The front of the skirt is draped with a scalloped-edged band of the gold silk, 8 1/2 inches wide, but pleated across the width, so it appears about 6 1/2 inches wide.
Status
Not on view
