Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Charlotte Perkins
(American, 1790 - 1873)
DressmakerMade by
Unknown
Date1805-1812
MediumHand-stitched cotton muslin
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (width at the waist x length): 15 x 52in. (38.1 x 132.1cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred H. Terry
Object number1959.11.1
DescriptionSheer, white cotton muslin dress, with very high waist, short puffed sleeves, wide square neckline, and white cotton embroidery in a diagonal band across the skirt front and around the hem. Center back closing with a drawstring at the neckline and at the waistline. Only the side panels of the bodice are lined. The sleeves are set in smooth in front and gathered in the back; the sleeve openings gather on a drawstring. The center front bodice panel is decorated across the top edge with a line of embroidery of 8-petaled flowers and circular motifs filled with pulled thread work. This bodice panel gathers on a drawstring across the top to control the fit; the bottom edge is slightly gathered into the high waistline seam, which is only 2 1/4 inches below the armhole seam. The front of the dress is smooth at the waistline; the back is gathered. The diagonal band of embroidery across the skirt front and around the hem is similar to that of the front bodice panel, with the same 8-petaled flowers and circular motifs, along with a garland-like design with leafy fronds.
NotesHistorical Note: Miss Charlotte Perkins (1790-1873), daughter of Enoch and Anna Pitkin Perkins, may have worn this dress to the Hartford Dancing Assemblies in 1805.Status
Not on view
Object/Object
