Gothic Style Evening Dress
Gothic Style Evening Dress
Gothic Style Evening Dress
Gothic Style Evening Dress
Gothic Style Evening Dress

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Gothic Style Evening Dress
c 1810

The puffs on the sleeves are meant to stand up and are in the Gothic style.  influenced by slashed Tudor garments, when the undergarment was pulled through the slashes.*   With patience this might be achieved! The lustrous silk must have looked rather beautiful by candlelight.

This dress has come by direct descent from the family of Samuel Bagster the elder (1772-1851) and, more particularly, his wife Eunice Bagster (1777-1877). Samuel Bagster was a publisher and author whose name became synonymous with Bagster bibles. He published numerous different editions of polyglot bibles with new notes and references. He presented bibles to King George IV, King William IV and Queen Victoria, who honoured him for his compilation of Bagster’s Comprehensive Bible. He died at his home at Old Windsor, Berkshire, on 28 March 1851, his wife Eunice (nee Birch) surviving him by some twenty-six years, dying on the eve of her 100th birthday. Queen Victoria certainly knew Eunice Bagster and the Royal Collection has a photograph of her, taken on her 99th birthday (23 August 1876) which was acquired by Queen Victoria. Family legend has it that Queen Victoria also visited Eunice Bagster the day before Eunice’s 100th birthday with some flowers, knelt by Eunice’s bedside and was blessed by her. Sadly, Eunice died that night, but family legend relates that the flowers left by Queen Victoria were used at the ensuing funeral.

 

Description

The shallow high bodice  of ivory silk satin with large scooped neck, silk drawstring ribbons to the inside front ,short sleeves slightly gathered into a cuff edged with net, adorned with net puffs to the front and back, the back opening with double tape ties, the fullish skirt of the finest lustrous silk, very slightly trained.

Front shoulder to hem 48 in; 1.25 m

Back shoulder to hem 52 in;1.32

Bust approx 34 in; 87 cm

Condition

One tape at the back is silk, the other linen. I think the linen one is a later addition, replacing a silk one. The bodice is in very good condition. One little area of wear to the lower left hand side of the skir 1/2 x 1 1/2 in (but not solid damage) ; 2 x 3 cm and another slit 1 x 1/4 in; 2.5 x 5 cm near the front side hem.

 

 

 

Comments

* Fashion in Focus 1600-2009.  Evans, Grace p 79 for similar puffed sleeves.

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