Absolutely stunning romantic evening dress. One would have felt the bees knees wearing this! Marvellous to have the extra long sleeves. Amazing that this dress with separate long sleeves has survived. When the wearer wanted to cover her arms, for a slightly less dressy occasion, the long sleeves would have been sewn over the short puffs. Despite the damage this is a wonderful dress.
Of scarlet wool and silk gauze, the bodice scooped neck and with soft gathers to form the bust area, flat black satin ribbons to the neck area and centre front, high waisted with red silk ribbon, the short puff sleeves caught into red satin piped ribbon,with faux button fastening, with five lamb's wool wadded fat rouleau spines, the back opening with original red silk ribbon drawstring, double black rouleau trim to the back bodice, the high waist with large black hooks and eyes, the hem with large leaf type shapes, edged in black satin, above a padded hem, again with padded black satin ribbon.
A pair of long sleeves, each with black satin to the shoulder, the cuff with two covered buttons and loops and some red rouleau trimming.
Clearly the moth has been enjoying this dress and the skirt has many holes and some darns. There is darning on the underside of the puff sleeves. You should be able to see in the photos, but if not ask for more. The waist ribbon needs some support where it is weak at the front of the dress. The shoulders are weakish and need a little support.
Two of the large leaf appliqués to the hem are missing.
The long sleeves have an inner stiffening which is shreded. One sleeve has a hole, the size of the end of a pencil, near the cuff and two split areas next to each other 1 and 2 1/2 in long; 2 and 6 cm. the buttons are slightly scuffed showing white. The second sleeve has one button slightly worn.
Shoulder to hem - 4ft 5 in; 1.35 m
Waist - 25 in; 64 cm.
Nineteenth-Century Fashion in Detail. Lucy Johnston p 74.
Patterns of Fashion 1. Janet Arnold - Revised edition 2021.p 59
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