Gown thumbnail 1
Gown thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Gown

1734 (woven), ca. 1735 (woven), 1760s (sewing), 1870 - 1910 (altered)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

A gown in the English (tight-back style) of green and white silk brocaded in a design of trees, houses and exotic blooms in orange, pink, mauve, black and white silk. The gown is open at the front with robings, and elbow-length sleeves with cuffs. The bodice and sleeves are lined with with linen. There are 3 sets of tapes at the front for fastening. The centre back panel of silk is pleated above the waist and extends to the hem; on either side of it are 3 panels of silk forming the gown skirts, pleated and stitched to the bodice at the waist.

The gown was possibly a mantua in the late 1730s and completely remade in the 1760s. In the 1780s, the present pleated cuffs, possibly reconfigured from the 1730s, were rather awkwardly attached.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silk, linen, silk thread, linen thread; hand-woven brocade, hand-sewn
Brief description
Woman's gown,1760s, English; Green and white silk, brocaded with multi-colour flowers, English or Dutch, 1734, fancy dress 1870-1910
Physical description
A gown in the English (tight-back style) of green and white silk brocaded in a design of trees, houses and exotic blooms in orange, pink, mauve, black and white silk. The gown is open at the front with robings, and elbow-length sleeves with cuffs. The bodice and sleeves are lined with with linen. There are 3 sets of tapes at the front for fastening. The centre back panel of silk is pleated above the waist and extends to the hem; on either side of it are 3 panels of silk forming the gown skirts, pleated and stitched to the bodice at the waist.

The gown was possibly a mantua in the late 1730s and completely remade in the 1760s. In the 1780s, the present pleated cuffs, possibly reconfigured from the 1730s, were rather awkwardly attached.
Dimensions
  • Weight: 1.22kg
  • Length: 51.5in
  • Width: 12.5in
  • Shoulder to hem at centre back length: 140.0cm (approx)
  • Bust under armholes circumference: 79.0cm (approx)
  • Silk, selvedge to selvedge width: 41.9cm
Credit line
Given by Mrs M. M. Briant
Collection
Accession number
T.104-1954

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest