Wedding Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Mary Cornelia Bishop
American, 1853 - 1919
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1873
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk, cotton, and wool, with unidentified boning, linen (probably) lace, silk-covered wooden (probably) buttons
DimensionsBodice (center back length x width across shoulders): 26 x 15in. (66 x 38.1cm)
Bodice (center front length): 21 1/2in. (54.6cm)
Skirt (front length): 41in. (104.1cm)
Skirt (back length): 49 1/4in. (125.1cm)
Hem (circumference): 116in. (294.6cm)
Component (overskirt back length): 32 3/4in. (83.2cm)
Component (overskirt front length): 32 1/2in. (82.6cm)
Bodice (center front length): 21 1/2in. (54.6cm)
Skirt (front length): 41in. (104.1cm)
Skirt (back length): 49 1/4in. (125.1cm)
Hem (circumference): 116in. (294.6cm)
Component (overskirt back length): 32 3/4in. (83.2cm)
Component (overskirt front length): 32 1/2in. (82.6cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Geddes Parsons
DescriptionWoman's wedding dress consisting of a bodice (.a), skirt (.b) and overskirt(.c) of dark beige silk. The bodice extends over the hips with two rectangular panels; it is pointed at center front and center back. It closes at center front with nine dome-shaped buttons covered with silk thread. Decoration of the bodice consists of self-fabric revers and collar edged to the inside with a pleated self-fabric ruffle. The neckline is high and round, and trimmed with white bobbin-type lace. The panels, which extend over the hips, are also decorated with pleated self-fabric ruffles, headed with a doubled strip, also of self-fabric. The center front and center back lower edges, along with the revers and collar edges, are piped. The sleeves are cut in with an upper and lower seam like a coat sleeve and are trimmed seven inches deep with self-fabric ruffles, with an edging of lace inside the wrist. Two 5 1/2-inch-long darts on either side of the opening are boned; the side seams are also boned. The lining of the bodice is brown twill-woven cotton. There is a watch pocket set into the waist seam on the proper left side.
The skirt is eased into the waistband across the front, and is knife-pleated across the back of the hips, and cartridge-pleated at center back. The center back is gathered up in a bustle effect. The lower skirt is circumscribed with a wide gathered ruffle over a box-pleated self-fabric ruffle. The skirt is lined with brown glazed cotton; the lower nine or ten inches is lined with tan wool. There are cotton tapes stitched inside the skirt to tie behind the legs, to pull the skirt fullness to the back. The bottom edge is bound with a brown wool tape. The waistband closes at center back with a button (now missing.)
The overskirt, which has been removed from its waistband, has a box-pleated ruffle around the bottom edge. There is also a self-fabric bow which has been removed from the overskirt.
The skirt is eased into the waistband across the front, and is knife-pleated across the back of the hips, and cartridge-pleated at center back. The center back is gathered up in a bustle effect. The lower skirt is circumscribed with a wide gathered ruffle over a box-pleated self-fabric ruffle. The skirt is lined with brown glazed cotton; the lower nine or ten inches is lined with tan wool. There are cotton tapes stitched inside the skirt to tie behind the legs, to pull the skirt fullness to the back. The bottom edge is bound with a brown wool tape. The waistband closes at center back with a button (now missing.)
The overskirt, which has been removed from its waistband, has a box-pleated ruffle around the bottom edge. There is also a self-fabric bow which has been removed from the overskirt.
Object number1962.53.1a-c
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