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Block Print/Pencilled
c 1837

by hand dress with ochre ground with green and lemon acanthus type leaves and sprays of white, red and pale blue flowers, brown twigs, round neck with rouleau trim, tight gathers to shoulders with pleating falling down to the slightly pointed waist, rouleau trimmed, the sleeves pleated at the shoulders with two horizontal bands, narroweing to wrist, rouleau trimmed, the full gathered skirt with one pocket slit, the back opening with metal hooks and embroidered eyes, the bodice and deep hem border lined with cotton, bust 34 in or 87 cm; waist 27 in or 70 cm; length 53 in or 1.35 m

Comments

Great colour combination. A yellow dye probably produced from the plant Weld or Quercitron bark was used and has been pencilledor painted by hand. By superimposing them green was produced. At this time there was no fast green.

Oriignally it would have been worn with a lace or embroidered collar. The twigs in particular have that stepped effect to imitate a woven cloth.

Condition

Excellent. There has been alteration to the bodice centre front to make it larger. My conservator has now reinstated this and it looks absolutely correct. The back, either side of the opening has been let out.