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Not currently on display at the V&A

Wedding Corset

early 1905 (made), July 1905 (worn)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This corset was designed and made for the wedding of Mrs G.E. Dixon in July 1905. It is an S-bend corset, typified by the straight busk that compelled the pelvis backwards and the bust forwards into an angled ‘S’ shape. The corset offered some light control around the lower abdomen with strategically placed whalebones; however, since corsets rely on boning and strong fabrics for rigidity, the insertion of Mechlin-style machine lace and fine silk satin between the bones show that its function is largely decorative. The neckline is high, and the entire bust area is made of transparent lace decorated with silk flowers. At the bottom of the corset are four long suspender ribbons, attached with small gathered silk rosettes.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
satin, machine made lace and artificial orange blossom
Brief description
White satin wedding corset trimmed with machine made lace and orange blossom
Physical description
White satin corset trimmed with machine made lace and orange blossoms, hook fastening in front for S Bend silhouette.
Dimensions
  • Waist (2.5cm gap) circumference: 54.5cm
  • Bust circumference: 78cm
  • Diaphragm circumference: 64cm
  • To waist length: 37cm
  • Overall length: 57cm
  • High hip circumference: 82cm
  • Strap length: 34.8cm
Dimensions taken by Conservation for Wedding Dress mounting, 2009
Credit line
Worn and given by Mrs G. E. Dixon
Object history
Made for and worn by the donor, Marie Dixon, for her wedding, July 1905
Summary
This corset was designed and made for the wedding of Mrs G.E. Dixon in July 1905. It is an S-bend corset, typified by the straight busk that compelled the pelvis backwards and the bust forwards into an angled ‘S’ shape. The corset offered some light control around the lower abdomen with strategically placed whalebones; however, since corsets rely on boning and strong fabrics for rigidity, the insertion of Mechlin-style machine lace and fine silk satin between the bones show that its function is largely decorative. The neckline is high, and the entire bust area is made of transparent lace decorated with silk flowers. At the bottom of the corset are four long suspender ribbons, attached with small gathered silk rosettes.
Collection
Accession number
T.90-1928

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Record createdSeptember 11, 2008
Record URL
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