Antique-Gown

 
A 1898 stunning patterned brocade silk taffeta and light green velvet outfit, 2 piece in construction dress. The bodice is decorated and edged with a light yellow chiffon scarf like around neckline and down front opening with gold and green velvet band accents at waist line. Off center yellow chiffon bow in front. Central front hook and eye closure bodice. Bodice is lined with a white cotton and with 13 inner fabric covered bone stays, inner waistband. Sleeves are slightly puffed at shoulders, elbow length, with gold velvet at sleeve end, then finished off with pleated yellow chiffon ruffle at cuff. Bottom of bodice edged with velvet and comes to point center front. Some hand stitching, mostly machine sewn. The skirt has a full back sweep with flat pleating at center back for a nice full bustle effect, with yellow chiffon ruffle at hem, and lined with ivory taffeta underskirt lining with ruffles at hem. Skirt has two hooks to attach to bodice to support weight.

Still retaining its sewn in museum catalog identification tag at inside of neckline of bodice and inner waist band of skirt. Deaccession from the Strong Memorial Museum collection from Rochester, N.Y. Tag reads Original estate of Alice Woodbury Strong, founder of this museum. The outfit is in very good to excellent condition. With some light discoloration on underarms only on the bodice inner lining; a few tiny tears in the inner silk (lining) of the skirt; the left collar area seems to be missing something (possibly a velvet ribbon, lace or just yellow chiffon), but this is hardly noticeable. The decoration is not included (brooch and fan, however, are).

Bust: ~ 80 cm
Waist: ~ 63 cm
Front Length: ~ 144 cm
Back Length: ~ 170 cm