Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Mrs. Williams
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1868-1870
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk and cotton, with silk-covered ferrous metal buttons, brass hooks and eyes, and wool tape
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (length x width across shoulders): 52 x 17 1/4in. (132.1 x 43.8cm)
Hem (circumference): 110in. (279.4cm)
Hem (circumference): 110in. (279.4cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Arthur V. R. Tilton
DescriptionDay dress of purple and white gingham silk, for a small woman or teen-aged girl. The bodice is styled with a high, round neckline, dropped shoulderline, and round waist. It closes at center front with eight buttons of white silk over a metal mold in a quatrefoil design (seven buttons are extant). The fitting of the bodice is achieved with two five-inch darts on either side of the opening. The neckline, armscye seams, and waistline edge are piped. The coat sleeves are trimmed above the wrist with a 1 3/4-inch-wide band of self-fabric, which is puffed by reversing the pleating from one side to the other. The bodice is lined with plain white cotton. It does not appear to have ever been boned.
The skirt is almost flat in front, having one pleat on the right side to balance the appearance of the skirt opening, which is to the left of the center. The skirt is pleated over the hips and the back is gathered. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side. The skirt is lined with white glazed cotton. Stitch marks 5 1/2 inches from the bottom indicate that the skirt was once trimmed with a self-fabric band like the sleeves. The bottom edge of the skirt is bound with gray wool tape.
The skirt is almost flat in front, having one pleat on the right side to balance the appearance of the skirt opening, which is to the left of the center. The skirt is pleated over the hips and the back is gathered. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side. The skirt is lined with white glazed cotton. Stitch marks 5 1/2 inches from the bottom indicate that the skirt was once trimmed with a self-fabric band like the sleeves. The bottom edge of the skirt is bound with gray wool tape.
Object number1959.4.4
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