Women's dress

Item Information

Title:
Women's dress
Description:
Two piece jet black net lace and silk women's dress with bead and sequin floral decoration. The bodice has elbow length puffed sleeves of net lace over a beige silk lining. The sleeves have ruffled lace cuffs with a wide band of black beads and sequins just above the ruffle. There is a twisted black stain ribbon with a rosette wrapped around the upper arm. The front part of each sleeve has four star shaped bead and sequin designs descending from each shoulder and ending at the satin ribbon. The upper two stars are covered by a layer of black lace overlay. The bodice has a simple stand up collar that fastens around the back of the neck. The upper portion of the bodice, from the collar to just above the chest is lined with a beige silk. The bottom portion of the bodice is lined with black silk. The star shaped bead and sequin designs make a u-shaped pattern across the front of the bodice. Six of the stars have extra beaded tassels hanging from the center of the design. The front center of the bodice comes to a slight point. There is a wide bead and sequin band along the bottom edge of the bodice. Sewn just above the left breast is a cloth cream colored rose. The petals and some of the leaves are made from a linen material. Other leaves have been constructed out of black sequins and black feathers. The bodice closes up the front with ten alternating hooks and loops in the bottom section and nine hooks and loops in the upper lace section. The collar wraps around the neck and fastens at the back with three hooks and loops. There is a stiff ribbon sewn into the waist with the following label: "Mrs. C. Donovan Cq 280 Madison Ave New York." The interior bodice has eleven boning strips sewn around the waist. There are arm shields sewn into each armpit. The right arm has an extra knitted layer sewn into the sleeve under the beige silk lining. Sewn into the back of the waist are two pieces of lace that hang down over the back of the skirt. The back of the bodice has a large black satin bow with a beaded center covering the collar clasps. The wide band along the waist continues around from the front. The bead and sequin stars also continue around the upper back. The full length skirt with a train has several different layers. The inner layer is black silk with a stiff linen material along the front hem and in the train. The middle layer is of black net lace with sequins and the top layer is a black net lace with a floral design in the lace and floral wreath designs picked out in beads and sequins. There is a small bustle sewn into the waist of the skirt. The skirt has several closures. Six hooks and rings on the inner silk layer. Eight hooks and loops on the outer lace layer and three hooks and loops on the waistband. The back of the skirt has no beaded decoration.
Creator:
Donovan, C., Mrs.
Date:
1880–1910
Format:
Objects/Artifacts
Genre:
net (textile)
silk (textile)
satin
beads (pierced objects)
sequins (spangles)
dresses (garments)
Location:
Historic New England
Collection (local):
Digitized Museum Collections
Subjects:
Women's Clothing
Places:
New York
Extent:
Measurements for bodice. Width is across shoulders. 42cm across bodice waist.: 17 12/16 in. x 19 5/16 in. (W x L); Measurement of skirt. Length is front of skirt from waist to hem. 145cm is the length of the back from waist to hem.: 14 10/16 in. x 41 6/16 in. (W x L)
Link to Item:
https://gusn.us/190055
Terms of Use:
Rights status not evaluated.
Contact host institution for more information.
Place of origin:
New York City (New York state)
Notes:
Gift of the Stephen Phillips Memorial Charitable Trust for Historic Preservation
Accession #:
2006.44.1274AB
Identifier:
190055