Dress
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1863-1865, with later alteration
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk and cotton, with silk thread-covered wooden buttons, unidentified boning (probably baleen), and wool hem tape
DimensionsHem (circumference): 118in. (299.7cm)
Skirt (length): 40 3/4in. (103.5cm)
Bodice (length x shoulder width): 15 1/2 x 16 3/4in. (39.4 x 42.5cm)
Skirt (length): 40 3/4in. (103.5cm)
Bodice (length x shoulder width): 15 1/2 x 16 3/4in. (39.4 x 42.5cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Kristin Comstock
DescriptionWoman's two-piece day dress consisting of a bodice (.a) and skirt (.b), made of blue silk with a thin, darker blue horizontal woven stripe. The bodice is styled with a high, round neck, finished with a 1/2-inch-wide band collar. The bodice closes at center front with eight domed wooden buttons covered with black and white silk thread in a star pattern. The fit is achieved with two five-inch darts on either side of the front opening. The waist is slightly high, measuring six inches at the side, under the armscye seam. The coat sleeves are plain, but embellished inside the wrist with a pleated ruffle of white silk ribbon. The sleeves are lined with white silk. The bodice is lined with white glazed cotton, and the darts, side seams, and center back are boned. Most of the bodice is machine-sewn.
The skirt appears to have been altered later in the decade to make it narrower and flatter in front, as was the fashion. Some of the skirt seams are hand-stitched and some are machine-stitched; all of the seams show old stitch lines, so it is clear that the skirt was taken apart and remade. The skirt is stitched to a self-fabric waistband, lined with white cotton; it is flat in front and gathered at center back. It opens to left of the center front. Gored panels on the sides add width at the bottom of the skirt, but keep the top narrower. The skirt side panels are pieced near the top, and old stitch marks are again evident. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side. The hem is lined with tan cotton for 5 3/8 inches; the bottom edge is bound with light blue wool tape.
The skirt appears to have been altered later in the decade to make it narrower and flatter in front, as was the fashion. Some of the skirt seams are hand-stitched and some are machine-stitched; all of the seams show old stitch lines, so it is clear that the skirt was taken apart and remade. The skirt is stitched to a self-fabric waistband, lined with white cotton; it is flat in front and gathered at center back. It opens to left of the center front. Gored panels on the sides add width at the bottom of the skirt, but keep the top narrower. The skirt side panels are pieced near the top, and old stitch marks are again evident. There is an in-seam pocket on the right side. The hem is lined with tan cotton for 5 3/8 inches; the bottom edge is bound with light blue wool tape.
Object number1990.55.1a,b
NotesHistorical Note: Deercliff Manor in West Hartford, Connecticut, belonged to Richard S. Ely, who left it to his daughter, Maude D. Ely. She married John Gibbons, a superintendent of Annapolis. It is believed that they never had any children. Maude D. E. Gibbons left the house to her first cousin, Graham Jones, Sr, for live use. His son, Graham Jones, Jr. sold it to Arnold Chase and Richard Gordon.Subject Terms
On View
Not on view
