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Evening dress (Bodice, part 1 of 2)
American
1890s
Medium/Technique
Silk and lace
Dimensions
Center back (bodice): 25.4 cm (10 in.)
Center front (bodice): 32.4 cm (12 3/4 in.)
Costume (bodice): 27 in. (68.6 cm)
Center front (bodice): 32.4 cm (12 3/4 in.)
Costume (bodice): 27 in. (68.6 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of The Museum of the City of New York
Accession Number2019.570.1
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas, Fashion and Textiles
ClassificationsCostumes
DescriptionBodice of two-part evening dress comprising bodice and skirt of cream satin trimmed with lace and ribbons:
Bodice: High square neckline trimmed with lace, draped over shoulders and across bust into plastron; deep knife pleat either side of CF creating slight monobosom, with pseudo-revers trimmed with flounce of lace; CF bodice/plastron overlaid with pleated white chiffon and bow of pink, eau-de-nil, and mauve satin ribbons at CF bust trailing streamers to waist; wired pink and purple silk orchids over PL bust to shoulder; elbow-length lace sleeves (unlined); draped cummerbund sash waistband closing at PR rear waist with hook and eye; pointed waist CF, round at CB; lace continues from rear shoulders down either side of CB hook-and-eye closure to waist; cream taffeta lining; boned; drawstring at neck; woven petersham with label closing at CB with two hooks and eyes: "Parcher / Boston".
Bodice: High square neckline trimmed with lace, draped over shoulders and across bust into plastron; deep knife pleat either side of CF creating slight monobosom, with pseudo-revers trimmed with flounce of lace; CF bodice/plastron overlaid with pleated white chiffon and bow of pink, eau-de-nil, and mauve satin ribbons at CF bust trailing streamers to waist; wired pink and purple silk orchids over PL bust to shoulder; elbow-length lace sleeves (unlined); draped cummerbund sash waistband closing at PR rear waist with hook and eye; pointed waist CF, round at CB; lace continues from rear shoulders down either side of CB hook-and-eye closure to waist; cream taffeta lining; boned; drawstring at neck; woven petersham with label closing at CB with two hooks and eyes: "Parcher / Boston".
Provenance1890s, Lucy Truman Aldrich (b. 1869 – d. 1955), Providence, RI; 1956, gift on behalf of the Estate of Lucy T. Aldrich by her nephew, Laurance S. Rockefeller (b. 1910 – d. 2004), to The Museum of the City of New York (accession no. 56.180.32AB); 2018, deaccessioned by the Museum of the City of New York; 2019, gift of The Museum of the City of New York to the MFA. (Accession Date: April 24, 2019)