The fabric embroidered in Bengal, India for an English/European woman, but then altered or made up in the 1860s. The design is really lovely and one can imagine how enchanting the wearer looked, complete with her parasol. The bodice is missing. Despite the slight damage, holes and darns, when worn over a petticoat these would not show.
The skirt with waistband, back closure with two hooks and eyes, and gently gathered skirt, embroidered in white cotton with a design of diagonal lines of foliage and leaves, alternating with a row of occasional sprigs, the deep border 7 in; 18 cm with a double row of large leaves and sprays of fruit, the hem with similar diagonal bands to above.
Hem circumference 11ft 10 in; 3.6 m.
Waist 24 in; 60 cm. Waist to hem 3ft; 90 cm
Muslin widths 3 ft; 90 cm
Any darns and marks hardly notice because of the gathering. It is really difficult to see many of them. A petticoat would have been worn, and the imperfections would not have shown. It was clearly a well loved outfit. There is a small tear near the front top waistband which hardly notices because of the gathers. It could easily be patched from behind and would not notice. There are three loose darns to the front panel, the largest 4 x 4 cm. Then about 6 small holes near the hem. The actual hem has a line of darning just above the hem panel, extending 9 in; 23 cm. The next width has a patch near the hem 5 x 7 cm. A couple of pale light brown marks above. A few more to the side seam above and a couple of darn. The next width has some horizontal darning, same as before, above the hem 19 cm. The lady's shoe must have gone through the fine muslin. The next width has three small holes and a few darns. Ask for photos.
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