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Woman's dress


Woman's day dress
Worn by: Mehetable Stoddard Sumner (Welles) (American, 1784–1826)
possibly French, worn in America
early 1820s
Place of Manufacture: possibly France; Place of Use: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Medium/Technique Cotton plain weave (cambric and mull), linen plain weave (lining of overbodice)
Dimensions Center Front: 130.8 cm (51 1/2 in.)
Credit Line Gift of Emily Welles Robbins (Mrs. Harry Pelham Robbins) and the Hon. Sumner Welles, in memory of Georgiana Welles Sargent
Accession Number49.875
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsCostumes

DescriptionWhite long-sleeved dress, round neck (pinholes at front); front drawstring closure on bodice; piping and back drawstring closure on overbodice; drawnwork trim and cording on cuffs with triangular embroidery with single white button; full skirt with wide decorative border with rows of pin tucks alternating with "puffs" of rouched mull, scalloped hem with drawnwork
InscriptionsWritten in ink on fabric label sewn to inside waistband: "Gown 1820-1825, worn by Mrs. Benjamin Welles of Boston"
ProvenanceWorn by Mehetable Stoddard Sumner (Mrs. Benjamin Welles) (1784-1826) of Boston; Inherited by her granddaughter Miss Georgiana Welles Sargent (born 1858) of New York City; Gift of Emily Welles Robbins (Mrs. Harry Pelham Robbins) and the Hon. Sumner Welles, in memory of Georgiana Welles Sargent, to MFA 1949