Gown

Dateca. 1745, with later alterations

MediumSilk, brocaded with silk; bodice lined with linen; skirt and sleeve linings of silk (probably later).

DimensionsOL: 55 1/2"; Waist 24"; Textile 19 1/2" Wide; repeat 24"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1953-854

DescriptionWoman's gown of ivory silk taffeta brocaded with silk in a pattern of sprays of flowers and strawberries with ribbon bows, all worked in blue, red, pink, green, purple and yellow. Gown has open front with fitted bodice and pleated robings to waist, laced at front to be worn with stomacher or kerchief (stomacher missing.) Elbow-length sleeves end in extended wing cuffs. Skirt is pleated to bodice at waistline, extending at hips to accommodate wide side hoops approximately 38" in breadth. Back of gown has square neckline, with stitched-down pleated panel extending into the skirt at center back waist ("robe a l'Anglaise" or "English back.") Bodice lined with linen; skirt and sleeves lined with silk.
Mannequin dressed with accessories 1971-1596, 2b; 1955-373; 1991-440, 1953-851.

Construction History:
1. Original Construction 1745
2. "Waistline altered with later darts to make it smaller. Boning in bodice probably not original. Modern lacing strips. Crease lines suggest gown was once a sack-back".- L. Baumgarten 12/02/1996 , alteration dates unknown
3. Silk lining appears to be later addition- dates unknown
4. Ernest LoNano February 20 1956 "cleaning, checking, and restoring".

ProvenanceEx. Coll. James Frere, Bluemantle Pursuivant of the College of Heralds. Once exhibited London Museum, Lancaster House.