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Mary Best's Dress
c 1807

There is a letter accompanying this dress dated 1946 Oxford. My dear Joyce, Here is the empire dress given me by Aunt Beatrix Norcliffe. She said it belonged to Mrs Best nee Mary Norcliffe our great grandmother, your great great grandmother and was probably her wedding dress. She was married in 1807, and I suppose it was taken away by her and brought back to Lanston when our grandmother Mrs Norcliffe succeeded she save it to Aunt Beatricex. People used muslin for wedding dresses, it was embroidered on the Indian muslin in India. I exhibited it here once andmine and 1 other were muslin as the muslin ones did not survive like the silk ones. Ever yours affectionately Rosamond Metcalfe.

Cataloguing

probably her wedding dress, of fine muslin, the narrow bodice with Indian tambour embroidery in a zig zag design enclosing flowerheads, to edges, short slightly puffed sleeves caught into a band with cream braid and similar embroidery, inner cotton flaps to enclose the bosom, the back tightly pleated into the high waist, the horizontal fall front similarly embroidered and with drawstring, the left side with more dramatic embroidery with the edition of a meandering spray of flowers, continuing in a curve round the hem, shoulder to front hem 56 in or 1.45 m; back shoulder to train hem 8 ft or 2.45 m.

Condition

Excellent. I do not think the cream braid is original. It seems to have been applied in a not very professional way ie. there is a gap under the arm. Photos available. There are some light brown markings on the lower side train. Also a little repair to the very train hem. overall 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 in or 4 x 6.5 but this hardly notices. There are also two small holes to the back, both lower