Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Sarah Maria Mansfield
American, 1831 - 1914
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1847
MediumHand-stitched cotton, brass hooks and eyes, baleen boning
DimensionsBodice (center front length x width across shoulders): 17 1/2 x 17 1/2in. (44.5 x 44.5cm)
Other (bodice center back length): 16 1/8in. (41cm)
Skirt (length x hem diameter): 38 1/2 x 140in. (97.8 x 355.6cm)
Other (bodice center back length): 16 1/8in. (41cm)
Skirt (length x hem diameter): 38 1/2 x 140in. (97.8 x 355.6cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mary Means Huber
DescriptionWoman's dress of white cotton printed with an orange frond-like design. This dress was originally one-piece, but has been separated into a bodice and skirt.
The bodice (.a) has a wide neckline, which is piped, with a yoke across the shoulders. The bodice ends in a rounded point at center front and center back. The fabric is gathered into the points and then fanned out along the bottom of the yoke. The narrow bell sleeves have 4 1/2-inch-deep caps at the shoulders. Originally, the armscyes would have been piped like the neckline, but this is now missing, suggesting that the sleeves were altered, perhaps by the original owner to update the fashion. The center back opening fastens with brass hooks and eyes. The bodice is lined with plain white cotton. It is boned in the front point.
The skirt (.b) is gathered into a plain, white cotton waistband (not original). The hem is 4 7/8 inches deep.
The bodice (.a) has a wide neckline, which is piped, with a yoke across the shoulders. The bodice ends in a rounded point at center front and center back. The fabric is gathered into the points and then fanned out along the bottom of the yoke. The narrow bell sleeves have 4 1/2-inch-deep caps at the shoulders. Originally, the armscyes would have been piped like the neckline, but this is now missing, suggesting that the sleeves were altered, perhaps by the original owner to update the fashion. The center back opening fastens with brass hooks and eyes. The bodice is lined with plain white cotton. It is boned in the front point.
The skirt (.b) is gathered into a plain, white cotton waistband (not original). The hem is 4 7/8 inches deep.
Object number2002.92.2a,b
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