Not currently on display at the V&A

Nightgown

ca. 1830 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Nightgown made of linen with the front and back consisting of a single length of cloth 29.5 inches wide in which the neck opening has been cut. Drawstring neck. It is widened by the insertion of two triangular gores at each side, starting below each arm and widening to 5.5 inches each at the hem. The sleeves, which are 9.5 inches long (elbow length) are set in straight and beneath each is a square gusset folded into a triangle. The neckline is only slightly hollowed at the back and a little more deeply into a 'V' at the front where there is a 9.25 inch opening. There is a finer quality linen edging at the neck and a frill at the front opening and at the sleeve ends. The garment is very finely stitched and is faced with tapes on the reverse of the neck line, the junction of the sleeves at the shoulder, the cuffs, the button attachment at the neck, the buttonhole and the bottom of the neck vent. There is a linen reinforcement at each shoulder which simulates a shoulder seam finish. The gown fastens with a tape threaded through the neckline, and a linen covered metal button and tape buttonhole at the neck opening.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Linen and metal
Brief description
Nightgown made of linen, England, ca. 1830
Physical description
Nightgown made of linen with the front and back consisting of a single length of cloth 29.5 inches wide in which the neck opening has been cut. Drawstring neck. It is widened by the insertion of two triangular gores at each side, starting below each arm and widening to 5.5 inches each at the hem. The sleeves, which are 9.5 inches long (elbow length) are set in straight and beneath each is a square gusset folded into a triangle. The neckline is only slightly hollowed at the back and a little more deeply into a 'V' at the front where there is a 9.25 inch opening. There is a finer quality linen edging at the neck and a frill at the front opening and at the sleeve ends. The garment is very finely stitched and is faced with tapes on the reverse of the neck line, the junction of the sleeves at the shoulder, the cuffs, the button attachment at the neck, the buttonhole and the bottom of the neck vent. There is a linen reinforcement at each shoulder which simulates a shoulder seam finish. The gown fastens with a tape threaded through the neckline, and a linen covered metal button and tape buttonhole at the neck opening.
Dimensions
  • Width: 29.5in
  • Length: 51in
  • Sleeves length: 9.5in
Marks and inscriptions
'12 [in blue cross stitch] / RR / LS [in black silk]' (At the neck)
Collection
Accession number
T.234-1981

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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