Gown
ca. 1735 (weaving), 1735 - 1745 (sewing), ca. 1775 (altered), before 01/06/1882 (altered)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
By the 1730s the open robe was beginning to replace the mantua as formal day wear. The beautifully patterned Spitalfields silk indicates a degree of luxury. The accompanying quilted petticoat suggests that the ensemble was probably worn for afternoon tea parties rather than in the evening at the opera or theatre. The pattern of the silk, with pear-shaped fruits and exotic flowers, is typical of the 1730s. The gown itself was probably made in the 1740s and altered to update the style in the early 1750s.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Silk, linen, silk thread, linen thread; hand-woven brocade, hand-sewn |
| Brief description | A woman's gown, 1735-45, English, cream silk brocaded with large flowers, Spitalfields, c1735; altered 1770s, fancy dress 1882 |
| Physical description | A woman's gown of cream silk brocaded with pear-shaped fruits and exotic flowers in coloured silks of pink, yellow, brown, blue, green, red and black. Ribbed silk ground. The brocaded pattern is bound in 1/3 twill with points rentrés. The gown is in the English (tight-back) style, open at the front with elbow-length sleeves and deep pleated cuffs. The bodice is lined with two different qualities of linen; the sleeves with white silk taffeta. Robings extend to the waist. The pleats at the back are stitched down; the centre back panel extends from neck to hem, but it pieced just below the waist. The gown skirts are flat pleated into the waist seam. The gown is made of 6 widths of silk with a narrow partial panel on each side of the front. The gown skirts are lined with white silk taffeta. The gown was probably made in the late 1730s or 1740s, possibly a closed English gown. In the mid 1770s, it was updated in style. The centre front panel was cut in two and cut back. Alterations were made to the bodice and a new lining added to the bodice fronts. The skirts were re-stitched at the waist. Alterations were made to the bodice fronts for fancy dress in the late 19th century. These have been let out unevenly at the side. The bodice lining has been renewed at the front. Three sets of cotton tapes were sewn to the waist and the skirts, for looping them up. Both pocke tslits have been stitched up. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions |
|
| Summary | By the 1730s the open robe was beginning to replace the mantua as formal day wear. The beautifully patterned Spitalfields silk indicates a degree of luxury. The accompanying quilted petticoat suggests that the ensemble was probably worn for afternoon tea parties rather than in the evening at the opera or theatre. The pattern of the silk, with pear-shaped fruits and exotic flowers, is typical of the 1730s. The gown itself was probably made in the 1740s and altered to update the style in the early 1750s. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.23-1972 |
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
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 8, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
