Collection |
MHS (unaccessioned) Textiles |
Date |
c.1890 |
Description |
Two piece Woman's day dress of sprigged cream cotton. Manufactured c.1890 in New Zealand. The original Owner/Wearer is unknown. Photographs: 2 of the gown; 1 each of, paste button, edging lace, placket domes, gown material, collar lace and 2 of the lining material.
The full bodice, without darts, is made over a fitted lining and is fastened at the back with hooks and eyes and trimmed with four paste buttons. The slightly gathered full-length sleeves are trimmed below the elbow with three rows of frills which are edged with fine lace. The sleeves are gathered into a 3cm material cuff at the wrist which is trimmed with the same lace. The 7cm standup collar of heavy lace doesn't fit the gown and, as it had two pins attaching it to the bodice although it is now stitched in place, I am presuming that Mrs. Ethel Collins has replaced a collar that was worn - this is just a presumption, but as some of these gowns were worn for fashion parades in the 1980s this could be an explanation. The bodice is completely lined with cream cotton twill and is boned. The flat seams are finished by hand. The skirt consists of five gores which widen out to a 286cm hem. The skirt is fully lined with the cream cotton twill. The waistband is made of the lining material. The front gore of the skirt has no trimming and there is a concealed placket of 28cm on the left side, which is closed with 6 domes and held together at the waist with two hooks and eyes. The rest of the skirt is trimmed with three gathered same material frills edged with fine lace. The gown falls smoothly over the waist and hips at the front. The back has three inverted pleats that have been put in place centre back to form fullness.
Part of Ethel Collins collection. Some of the clothing collection attributed to Mrs. Ethel Collins was gathered before she became a member of MHS. Later, as volunteer in charge of the Textile Department, garments were donated to her for the Society [see MHS minute book 5, page 211]. These garments joined her own donated collection and all became part of the MHS Textile Collection.
|
Object ID |
0000.600.0040 |
Object Name |
Gown |
Other # |
T0866 |
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