Cloth Fragment

Object Name:

Cloth Fragment

Object ID:

1968.035.24

Date:

1840-1850

Description:

Fragments cut from an 1840s dress, including two sleeves. The fabric is barege, with a fine silk warp and wool weft, in an ombre (also called "rainbow") print of shaded colors in purple, cream, and green stripes. The sleeves are long and narrow, in the style of the 1840s; the seam is piped, and the wrist openings are edged with narrow lace. Decorative corded silk braid embellishes the wrists, outlining the shape of a pointed cuff. The original dress appears to have been well worn, as there are patches at the upper arm of the sleeves. The sleeves are lined with plain, cream-colored cotton. The other seven pieces of the ombre barege range in size from the largest at 17" x 41.5" to the smallest at ~16" x 11.25". The largest piece is a rectangle cut from the skirt and shows evidence of cartridge pleating. The other pieces are irregularly shaped and unidentifiable as being specific pieces from the dress, but are probably just scraps cut from the skirt.

Material:

Textile
Silk
Wool

Dimensions:

W-5.5 L-19.25 inches

Credit Line:

Gift of Nellie Pierce