Antique-Gown

Until the middle of the 19th century, dyeing was mainly done with vegetable dyes. When the young Englishman William Henry Perkins produced the first synthetic aniline dye in 1856, no one in conservative England wanted it. The Lyon silk dyers were enthusiastic. The violet dye "mauveine" quickly became a fashionable color. A rush for new aniline dyes began. Dye factories were founded: the Badische Anilin und Sodafabrik BASF, the Farbwerke Höchst, the Aktiengesellschaft für Anilinfarben-Fabrikation AGFA. Thus, silk dyers made a decisive contribution to the foundation of the European chemical industry.

This dress is a society dress, ca. 1857. Made of silk. Probably in the aniline color Britannia violet - with gold longitudinal stripes. The dress is characterized by the V-shaped bust area. Snipe placed in small pleats. Stepped pagoda sleeves probably extended by a lace insert. Color coordinated silk fringe on the sleeves. Bell-shaped skirt pleated at the waist. Back closure by means of hooks and eyes. The top is lined with cotton on the inside, the skirt with glazed cotton. Very well preserved. Light wear under one arm; underarm stains. The decoration is not included.

Chest: ~ 80 cm
Waist: ~ 60 cm
Length: ~ 140 cm