Images(2)

Bodice

Date1730-1745

OriginEngland

MediumGreen silk brocaded with polychrome silk; linen bodice linings.

DimensionsACROSS SHOULDERS: 9 1/2" ; Waist (outside): 27 1/2"

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Cora Ginsburg

Object number1990-16,2

DescriptionWoman's bodice of green brocaded silk has open front edges with elbow length sleeves decorated by large cuffs. The front opening is faced with robings, the top one being 2 1/4", with smaller one beneath. These extend over the shoulders onto the back where the ends of the top pleat have been left unfinished. the back has 2 sets of stitched down pleats which extend below the waist in a tail 5" long. The bodice is constructed with a center back seam, and sewn down pleats at the back. It also has side front and side back seams. The front edges of silk conceal a strip of linen on each side of the opening which has 8 eyelets worked in a buttonhole stitch in yellow thread. The bodice is lined with linen except for the front edges beneath the pleats, 3" beneath the opening. The waist and the back neck opening have raw edges, as has the linen lining. The full sleeves are gathered into the armseye with the seam being concealed by the robings along the front edges. They are elbow length and are finished with a deep cuff (5 1/2" deep). The cuffs are gathered with 2 pleats at the inside edge, making a finished width of 2 7/8".