A rare English gown of circa 1780. The dress is made of very pretty pink Spitalfields silk; the brocade is woven with a scatter of vibrantly coloured flowers. The silk was likely woven in about 1750 and altered from an earlier gown into its current style. The bodice is lined with linen; it has a narrow fitted back, and the skirt is pleated into the waist. The front of the bodice closed with pins; the front of the skirt is open as it would have been worn with a silk petticoat. I have displayed the gown over a quilted petticoat, which is not included with the dress.
The bodice appears to have been altered, likely in the 19th century, to make it fit a smaller person. The sleeves especially appear to have been made smaller, and the bodice partially relined. Aside from the resizing, the dress is in excellent condition for its age. The silk is mostly clean with minimal staining, and the colours are for the most part bright and vibrant; however, there is some discolouration across the pink, especially in areas that have been pieced. Some small holes and worn areas to the silk are to be expected with age. Despite its minor flaws, the dress is an incredibly pretty example of an 18th-century dress.
Approximate measurements:
Bust: 34 inches
Waist: 28 inches
Front length: 10 inches
Back length: 52 inches
A rare English gown of circa 1780. The dress is made of very pretty pink Spitalfields silk; the brocade is woven with a scatter of vibrantly coloured flowers. The silk was likely woven in about 1750 and altered from an earlier gown into its current style. The bodice is lined with linen; it has a narrow fitted back, and the skirt is pleated into the waist. The front of the bodice closed with pins; the front of the skirt is open as it would have been worn with a silk petticoat. I have displayed the gown over a quilted petticoat, which is not included with the dress.
The bodice appears to have been altered, likely in the 19th century, to make it fit a smaller person. The sleeves especially appear to have been made smaller, and the bodice partially relined. Aside from the resizing, the dress is in excellent condition for its age. The silk is mostly clean with minimal staining, and the colours are for the most part bright and vibrant; however, there is some discolouration across the pink, especially in areas that have been pieced. Some small holes and worn areas to the silk are to be expected with age. Despite its minor flaws, the dress is an incredibly pretty example of an 18th-century dress.
Approximate measurements:
Bust: 34 inches
Waist: 28 inches
Front length: 10 inches
Back length: 52 inches
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