Sage green moire silk morning dress, ca. 1864-65, poss. Scotland
A beautiful antique sage green silk moire morning gown with black lace trim, dating from around 1860. [more like 64-65]
The gown has a high neckline with a yoke that is edged with silk fringing and black handmade bobbin lace, the bobbin lace trim also decorates the sleeve cuffs.
The front of the bodice has black silk covered buttons applied to a pleated placket, trimmed with black velvet which ends at the waistband. The buttons continue down the front of the gown but are purely decorative from mid thigh length (one of the buttons is missing from the skirt).
The bodice is only boned to either side of the underarm area, and interlined lined with a plain cotton fabric. It is attached to the skirt and the gown fastens to the front with hooks and eyes under the front placket.
The skirt of the gown is very full, with most of the fullness to the back. There is decorative trim to either side of the skirt that echos the trim on the bodice. The hem of the gown has a double flounce of black lace and the gown is shaped to dip to the back at the hemline. The skirt is unlined and would have originally been worn over petticoats covering the crinoline form.
The gown measures;
Bust- 42 inches/ 107 cm
Waist- 33 inches/ 84 cm
Sleeve (from pit to cuff)- 15 inches/ 38 cm
Length at front- 59 inches/ 150 cm
Length at back- 68 inches/ 173 cm
