Wedding Dress
Original OwnerProbably originally owned by
Christina Pettit
American, 1856 - 1951
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Date5 June 1878
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk and cotton, with tortoiseshell buttons inlaid with brass and abalone, non-ferrous metal boning, brass hooks and eyes, and wool hem tape
DimensionsBodice (bodice center back length x width across shoulders): 28 1/2 x 16 1/2in. (72.4 x 41.9cm)
Skirt (center front length): 41in. (104.1cm)
Skirt (center back length): 47in. (119.4cm)
Hem (skirt hem circumference): 93 1/2in. (237.5cm)
Skirt (center front length): 41in. (104.1cm)
Skirt (center back length): 47in. (119.4cm)
Hem (skirt hem circumference): 93 1/2in. (237.5cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Edith Lillian Petit Hunter
DescriptionWoman's dress of dark eggplant purple silk, consisting of a bodice (a) and skirt (b). The cuirass bodice is fitted smoothly over the hips. The center front has been altered by inserting a pleated panel of self-fabric. The bodice opens at center front and is fastened with fourteen pique (inlaid tortoiseshell) buttons with a design of a bird and long-stemmed flower. The neckline is high and round, with a one-inch standing band collar. The shoulderline is slightly dropped. The sleeves have an overlapped and piped self-fabric cuff-like decoration and pleated self-fabric ruffle around the wrists. Two buttons with piped faux buttonholes decorate the "cuffs." The back of the bodice extends into two short and broad tails, with fanned pleats set in the seams. Brown twill-woven cotton lines the original bodice; the newer inset front panel is lined with dark brown twill-woven cotton.
The fabric of the skirt front is gathered in broad vertical sections. The bottom of the skirt is flounced, with pleated fans of self-fabric every seven inches. The back panel of the skirt is draped up, emphasizing back fullness. The silhouette of the skirt is smoothly fitted in front and full in back. It is lined with purple-brown polished cotton; there are tapes within casings across the back of the skirt lining, to control the fullness of the skirt behind the knees. The skirt closes at center back with brass hooks and eyes.
The fabric of the skirt front is gathered in broad vertical sections. The bottom of the skirt is flounced, with pleated fans of self-fabric every seven inches. The back panel of the skirt is draped up, emphasizing back fullness. The silhouette of the skirt is smoothly fitted in front and full in back. It is lined with purple-brown polished cotton; there are tapes within casings across the back of the skirt lining, to control the fullness of the skirt behind the knees. The skirt closes at center back with brass hooks and eyes.
Object number1971.66.7a-d
MarkingsEmbroidered initials with straight stitches in silk thread, inside bodice opening: "[C.?] A. H."NotesHistorical Note: Christina Petit (1856-1951) married William Bennett Hunter on 5 June 1878 in Hartford, Connecticut.Subject Terms
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