Morning Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Jane Holcomb
American, born 1807
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1860-1865
MediumHand-stitched silk and cotton, with metal hooks and eyes
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (center back length x width across shoulders): 61 x 17in. (154.9 x 43.2cm)
Hem (circumference): 123 1/2in. (313.7cm)
Hem (circumference): 123 1/2in. (313.7cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Elizabeth Yale Hall
DescriptionBlack silk morning dress, with green and black checked fabric set on the bias down the center front from the shoulders to the hem. The bell-shaped sleeves and collar are also trimmed with the green and black silk check. This front area of the dress is loose and unfitted, although the separate brown twill-woven cotton lining underneath is fitted with darts (which are now taken out). The fashion fabric of the dress front is lined with blue glazed cotton. The dress has a center front opening about 25 inches long (the stitching has pulled out so that it is now several inches longer). The bodice lining closes with hooks and eyes, but there is no closing mechanism for the fashion fabric. Pin holes at the neck opening indicate that a brooch was used there. The shoulderline is dropped. The collar is flat and 2 1/8 inches wide; the neckline edge is finished with black silk-covered piping. The armscye seams and waist seam are also inserted with piping. The sleeves have a separate 6 3/8-inch-long cap, which is trimmed with the green and black plaid. There is a small watch pocket stitched on the left side of the front opening at the waist area.
The skirt fullness is controlled by layered box pleats across the back and knife pleats around the sides. It is stitched to the waistline of the bodice, rather than being separate. It is lined with blue glazed cotton, pieced out at the top with white and brown glazed cotton. There is an in-seam pocket on the proper right side. The hem is finished with a black twill-woven wool tape.
The skirt fullness is controlled by layered box pleats across the back and knife pleats around the sides. It is stitched to the waistline of the bodice, rather than being separate. It is lined with blue glazed cotton, pieced out at the top with white and brown glazed cotton. There is an in-seam pocket on the proper right side. The hem is finished with a black twill-woven wool tape.
Object number1950.16.23
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