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Dress

Original OwnerOriginally owned by Rebecca Taylor Bacon American, born 1826

Date1851-1852

MediumHand-stitched silk and wool fabric, with cotton lining, unidentified boning (probably baleen), and silk-wrapped cotton cord braid trim

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (bodice length x width across shoulders): 14 5/8 x 17in. (37.1 x 43.2cm)
Hem (circumference): 176in. (447cm)
Skirt (center front length): 42in. (106.7cm)

ClassificationsCostume

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Frederick J. Agate

DescriptionWoman's two-piece day dress consisting of a bodice and skirt, made of a cream-colored wool and silk fabric, woven with a narrow satin stripe and brocaded purple and green vine pattern. The bodice closes at center back, with a lacing. The shoulderline is dropped and the neck is high and round. The sleeves are nine inches wide at the wrist and have separate caps at the shoulder. The caps and wrist openings are decorated with two rows of green silk zig-zag braid. The front of the bodice is plain, with a very slightly dipped waist. It is fitted with six 7 1/2-inch-long darts, which are boned, along with the center front, side seams, and back opening edges. The bodice is lined with plain-woven white cotton. The neck edge, shoulder seams, waistline edge, and armscye seams are self-piped.

The skirt is box-pleated into the waistband, which is lined with plain-woven white cotton. The hem is lined for 5 7/8 inches with plain-woven white cotton.

Object number1960.21.2a,b

NotesHistorical Notes: This dress was made of material that Rebecca Taylor Bacon's father, Reverend Leonard Bacon, bought in Damascus when he came home in 1851 or 1852. The material was purchased on the same trip during which Reverend Bacon was taken prisoner while crossing the Kurdish Mountains.

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