Petticoat

Dateca. 1750 textile; ca. 1770 gown

OriginEngland; worn in America, Virginia

MediumSilk brocaded with silk; cotton twill band.

DimensionsL: 36" WAIST: 26 1/2" ; Silk selvage width: 19 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1989-330,2

DescriptionWoman's petticoat, worn with a matching gown, made of cream silk with floral self-color sub-pattern created by supplementary wefts and brocaded with multicolor asymmetrical flower sprigs and leaves scattered on the surface in colors of red, green, purple, yellow, and blackish-purple. Petticoat is pleated to twill cotton band, possibly added later, with wide box pleat at center front and pleats at front and back directed toward side pocket slits. Center back closure. Front of petticoat is trimmed with self- fabric furbelows edged with fly fringe. Petticoat hem and pocket slits are bound with 1' silk tabby tape.
Label TextAccording to the family history, this petticoat and matching gown were worn in Richmond, Virginia, by a member of the Blair or Harvie Family. The textile is an imported English silk.
ProvenanceWorn in Richmond, Virginia, by a member of the Blair or Harvie Family.