Dress and Fabric Scraps
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1855-1860
MediumHand-stitched silk and cotton, with silk fringe, glass and metal buttons, cotton wadding, unidentified boning (probably baleen), and brass hooks and eyes
DimensionsBodice (length x width across shoulders): 16 x 19in. (40.6 x 48.3cm)
Skirt (length): 47in. (119.4cm)
Hem (circumference): 144in. (365.8cm)
Skirt (length): 47in. (119.4cm)
Hem (circumference): 144in. (365.8cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
DescriptionWoman's day dress; the bodice (.a) and skirt (.b) of this dress are currently separated, but it was originally a one-piece dress. The fabric is a plain-woven silk, printed in a large-scale, striped design of paisleys alternating with a watered pattern in green, maroon, purple, red, etc. on a dark purple-brown background. The bodice has a high, round neck and center front opening with eleven small buttons of mottled green glass in a gold-tone metal bezel. A few hooks and eyes are stitched along the lower few inches for added support and stability. The dropped shoulders are covered on the bodice front by bretelles, which are scalloped and trimmed with silk fringe that is striped in matching colors. The bell sleeves are also scalloped and trimmed with the fringe, which spirals around the sleeve. The waist is round and slightly high, measuring seven inches in length at the sides, under the armscye seam. The bodice is lined with brown glazed cotton; the sleeves are lined with green silk in the bell area. The bust area is padded with white cotton wadding. The darts, side seams, front edges, and center back were originally all boned; most of the boning is still extant. Originally, the skirt was cartridge-pleated to the bodice; it is lined with brown glazed cotton, and the bottom edge is finished with brown twill-woven wool tape.
B: Scraps of dress fabric.
B: Scraps of dress fabric.
Object number1998.135.0a,b
On View
Not on view
