Lovely rich colour. After a little work the dress would look very good. The tears need supporting.
of rich brown silk taffeta, an open robe with original drawstring cord to the large neck, the bodice back with pleats converging to the pointed waist, elbow length shaped sleeves, the pleated full skirt with slits each side and scalloped pleated frill to front, the bodice lined with linen, the inside skirt with two loops (for looping up) and the lower part lined with pale blue fine silk, selvedges woven in pale blue shoulder to hem 56 in or 1.42 m; bust 33 in or 84 cm.
Overall the dress looks very good. There is a slight discolouration mark to right hand side. There is a little spotting (discolouration) to the sleeves and bodice (photos availalble) as is so often the case with this age of dress. There are 3 in or 8 cm tears under both arms, which have been crudely sewn and a further tear 4 in or 10 cm to back of one sleeve. These could all be conserved. The skirt has also some markings, discolouration and a few water marks. We have detailed photos available. The bodice has been extended at the front, but this addition could easily be removed. Photos available.
All images and text © meg-andrews.com 2021
