Dress
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Charlotte Perkins
American, 1790 - 1873
DressmakerMade by
Unknown
Date1805-1812
MediumHand-stitched cotton muslin
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (width at the waist x length): 15 x 52in. (38.1 x 132.1cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred H. Terry
DescriptionSheer, white cotton muslin dress, with very high waist, short puffed sleeves, wide square neckline, and white cotton embroidery in a diagonal band across the skirt front and around the hem. Center back closing with a drawstring at the neckline and at the waistline. Only the side panels of the bodice are lined. The sleeves are set in smooth in front and gathered in the back; the sleeve openings gather on a drawstring. The center front bodice panel is decorated across the top edge with a line of embroidery of 8-petaled flowers and circular motifs filled with pulled thread work. This bodice panel gathers on a drawstring across the top to control the fit; the bottom edge is slightly gathered into the high waistline seam, which is only 2 1/4 inches below the armhole seam. The front of the dress is smooth at the waistline; the back is gathered. The diagonal band of embroidery across the skirt front and around the hem is similar to that of the front bodice panel, with the same 8-petaled flowers and circular motifs, along with a garland-like design with leafy fronds.
Object number1959.11.1
NotesHistorical Note: Miss Charlotte Perkins (1790-1873), daughter of Enoch and Anna Pitkin Perkins, may have worn this dress to the Hartford Dancing Assemblies in 1805.Subject Terms
On View
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