This gown is typically English with its understated unusual but beautiful brocade. Unusually the skirt has the three double linen tapes to pull it up into a polonnaise.
The Small Family of Aspley Hall, Nottingham, by c1830; thence by descent to the present vendor.
The apron is not sold with the dress, but does go rather well. It is also for sale. Lace sleeve ruffles would have extended the sleeve.
The ivory ground woven with a small spray of three pink flowers with brown centres in front of ivory leaves and flowers with pink brocade centres, a background of self coloured brocade with hatching markings, all between flower and leaf meanders predominantely in self coloured silk with some pink and green touches.
The dress with squarish neck edged with pleated and pinked silk, front opening with four black hooks and eyes, rounded below the waist, elbow length set back sleeves, the elbow area caught up, similar trimmed with pleated and pinked ribbon,the bodice lined with white linen, the back with square neck, three joins fanning from neck to pointed waist, tight pleats to the skirt, three double linen tapes inside the skirt, sage green selvedges.
Bust 35 in/90 cm; Back low neck to hem 55 in/14 m
The hooks and eyes are modern. The silk is very strong. The skirt has some fold lines indicating the dress has been slightly remade. The bodice has no markings. The skirt has one small hole to the front edge. A couple of very feint stains which can hardly be seen 6 in x 4 in/ 15 x 10 cm. There is also on the back hip area a scattered line of markings, light brown 11 x 2 in/ 28 x 5 cm. There are another small group centre back skirt 7 x 1 1/2 in/ 8 x 3 cm. Because these are in a fold of the dress you do not see them. The hem is a little grubby. Ask for photos.
Costume in Detail. Bradfield Nancy p 51.
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