The dress is made of very striking iridescent silk, a complex weave with moiré ground and bold trellis pattern. The colour is very changeable depending on the light which catches the silk in the most beautiful way. The shape is typical of the early 1850s, a fitted bodice with an elongated waistline and an extremely full skirt pleated to the piped waistline. The sleeves are long and narrow with a gentle flare towards the wrists. The front of the dress is decorated with cord/braid and silk tassels. The dress is lined in cotton and fastens with hooks and bars.
The condition is good for its age, the silk is strong with very minimal staining. There are some areas such as the underarms and at the side of the skirt where the colour has faded significantly. There is an area of fraying at the top of the sleeve. The skirt has likely been reattached at some stage as the pleating and gathering seem uneven in places. Overall the dress is a really striking example of mid-19th century fashion.
Approximate Measurements:
Bust - 34 inches
Waist - 27 inches
Front length - 49 inches
Back length - 54 inches
The dress is made of very striking iridescent silk, a complex weave with moiré ground and bold trellis pattern. The colour is very changeable depending on the light which catches the silk in the most beautiful way. The shape is typical of the early 1850s, a fitted bodice with an elongated waistline and an extremely full skirt pleated to the piped waistline. The sleeves are long and narrow with a gentle flare towards the wrists. The front of the dress is decorated with cord/braid and silk tassels. The dress is lined in cotton and fastens with hooks and bars.
The condition is good for its age, the silk is strong with very minimal staining. There are some areas such as the underarms and at the side of the skirt where the colour has faded significantly. There is an area of fraying at the top of the sleeve. The skirt has likely been reattached at some stage as the pleating and gathering seem uneven in places. Overall the dress is a really striking example of mid-19th century fashion.
Approximate Measurements:
Bust - 34 inches
Waist - 27 inches
Front length - 49 inches
Back length - 54 inches
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