Bodice and apron-style petticoat, 1740s Spitalfields silk with pattern of bunches of flowers and grapes possibly by John Vansommer, made 1750-1755, remade 1870-1900.

An ensemble of bodice and apron-style petticoat made in the late 19th century of a 1740s Spitalfields silk, possibly designed by John Vansommer. The original gown may have been a sack and was possibly remade sometime between 1760 and 1780 into an English-style pleated back. The sack was cut and reconfigured for fancy dress 1870-1900. The apron-style petticoat was intended to be worn open at the front, over a white quilted silk satin petticoat, c1750s (came with the bodice & petticoat, but condition too fragile - in unreg).

The pattern of the silk comprises two large bunches of flowers and fruit including narcissus, roses and grapes, each repeat in different colours. The design has a strong diagonal arrangement, curvilinear emphasis and is finely shaded in a variety of colours.

Given by Carolyn Lawton

This ensemble of bodice and apron-style petticoat was made in the late 19th century from silk, possibly designed by John Vansommer and probably made in Spitalfields, in the 1740s. It may originally been a sack and was possibly remade sometime between 1760 and 1780 into a gown. It was cut and reconfigured again for fancy dress sometime between 1870 and 1900.

The pattern of the silk comprises two large bunches of flowers and fruit, including narcissus, roses and grapes, which is repeated the length of the silk in different colours. Characteristic of English Rococo silks are the diagonal emphasis of the design, curvilinear shapes and fine shading of the colours.

T.36:1, 2-2006