The bodice is made of fine checked cotton decorated with delicate embroidery of sprigged and trailing florals. The bodice would originally have formed part of a whole dress, the skirt fabric likely removed for reuse. It is a rarity to find unlined Georgian gowns intended to be sheer, a style increasingly popular from the 1780s onwards. A very old paper note pinned to the inner neck of the bodice explains that it formed part of a wedding gown worn in 1790, the beautifully skilled embroidery worked by the bride herself, no doubt over many months prior to her wedding. The bodice would have closed down the centre front with pins. The shoulders appear to be reinforced with linen. The sleeves are narrow and shaped at the elbow.
The bodice is very petite.
Measurements
Bust 28 inches
Waist 22 inches
The bodice is showing signs of age-related wear. There are large areas of staining and discolouration. I have not attempted a soak as I did not wish to risk the embroidery colours running. There are numerous old mends/darns, a tear near the front edge, and fraying to the lower edge where the skirt was removed. Condition aside, this is a beautiful article of 18th-century clothing.
The bodice is made of fine checked cotton decorated with delicate embroidery of sprigged and trailing florals. The bodice would originally have formed part of a whole dress, the skirt fabric likely removed for reuse. It is a rarity to find unlined Georgian gowns intended to be sheer, a style increasingly popular from the 1780s onwards. A very old paper note pinned to the inner neck of the bodice explains that it formed part of a wedding gown worn in 1790, the beautifully skilled embroidery worked by the bride herself, no doubt over many months prior to her wedding. The bodice would have closed down the centre front with pins. The shoulders appear to be reinforced with linen. The sleeves are narrow and shaped at the elbow.
The bodice is very petite.
Measurements
Bust 28 inches
Waist 22 inches
The bodice is showing signs of age-related wear. There are large areas of staining and discolouration. I have not attempted a soak as I did not wish to risk the embroidery colours running. There are numerous old mends/darns, a tear near the front edge, and fraying to the lower edge where the skirt was removed. Condition aside, this is a beautiful article of 18th-century clothing.
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