Dress
Original OwnerPossibly originally owned by
Lucy Mather Brace
American, 1864 - 1951
Clothing MakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1895
MediumMachine-stitched and hand-stitched silk and cotton, with ferrous metal hooks and eyes, ferrrous metal boning and unidentified boning, and elastic
DimensionsBodice (length x width between shoulders): 15 1/2 x 15 1/4in. (39.4 x 38.7cm)
Skirt (center back length x hem circumference): 40 x 158 1/2in. (101.6 x 402.6cm)
Skirt (center back length x hem circumference): 40 x 158 1/2in. (101.6 x 402.6cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Seth P. Holcombe and Mrs. Gilbert A. Wicke
DescriptionWoman's evening dress, consisting of a bodice (.a) and skirt (.b), of pink silk faille, woven with a black stripe. The bodice has a wide, square neckline edged with sheer, pink silk crepe (now gray with dirt). The bodice is gathered stright across the lower neckline, from armscye to armscye, with a decorative bow at the center front made of the crepe with a center of the striped silk faille; the center back also had some sort of decoration, but this is now missing. The waistline is slightly pointed at center front and center back, and is edged with a band of pink satin, pleated for its length. The leg-o'-mutton sleeves are pink satin for the puffed upper half, and striped faille for the tight lower half extending from the elbow to the wrist. The bodice has a fitted lining of plain, pale pink cotton. The center front opening fastens with hooks and eyes. The silk faille extends beyond this opening to cover the entire left side of the fitted bodice, which is constructed of the cotton lining; the silk fastens with hooks and thread-covered eyes along the proper left side of the bodice, and around the front of the armscye.
The skirt was originally smooth across the front and sides, being fitted with darts (now replaced with narrow pleats or gathers). It is gathered across the center back on either side of the opening, which extends about nine inches and fastens with a hook and eye. The skirt is unornamented. It is lined with plain, pale pink cotton in the front and side panels, and with stiff, white cotton, woven in a windowpane check pattern in the back panel and around the hem. A scalloped ruffle of pink silk (a "balayeuse") is stitched inside the hem. Elastic is stitched across the inside of the back panel to control the fullness to the back.
The skirt was originally smooth across the front and sides, being fitted with darts (now replaced with narrow pleats or gathers). It is gathered across the center back on either side of the opening, which extends about nine inches and fastens with a hook and eye. The skirt is unornamented. It is lined with plain, pale pink cotton in the front and side panels, and with stiff, white cotton, woven in a windowpane check pattern in the back panel and around the hem. A scalloped ruffle of pink silk (a "balayeuse") is stitched inside the hem. Elastic is stitched across the inside of the back panel to control the fullness to the back.
Object number1981.26.6a,b
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