-
Australian dress register ID:
139 -
Owner:
Quirindi and District Historical Society -
Date range:
1877 -
Place of origin:
Quirindi, New South Wales, Australia -
Gender:
Female
Object information
Significance statement
A stylish outfit with aesthetic appeal. This dress has been cut to fit the shape of the body really well. It is not a wedding dress as such, but a "best" dress worn for church or shopping in town and not an every day dress.
Historical and social significance because of its association with a well-known and respected family. It is rare and unique, an important family heirloom.
There is a family connection with our other wedding dress submitted to the dress register. Amelia Anderson wore this dress at her wedding to John Hartley Australia Porter and is the daughter in law of Mary Ann Porter, the first owner of the 1855 wedding dress. Author: Quirinidi and District Historical Society, 30th July 2010.
Description
Two piece wedding outfit, cream background with brown check pattern, decorated with brown pleated frill. Jacket with long sleeves, fitted, shaped hemline, longer ending in a V at the back, brown buttons self covered for decoration. Lined with cream cotton lawn.
Skirt has fitted waist, flared, train attached at back, front decorated with brown pleating and self frill. One decorative pocket, one hidden pocket. Different linings in sleeves and skirt.
History and Provenance
Do you have any stories or community information associated with this?
Amelia's husband John Hartly Porter was the second son of Mary Ann Porter whose wedding dress is also in the museum. The Porter family were important landholders in the Quirindi district.
How does this garment relate to the wider historical context?
This is an example of special clothing in rural Australia. Because of its style it is a more limited occasion garment. The stylish trimming contributes to our understanding of the history of costume in rural Australia.
Where did this information come from?
Family
Place of origin:
Quirindi, New South Wales, Australia
Owned by:
Amelia Anderson
Worn by:
Amelia Anderson. She was 15 years of age at time of marriage.
Occasion(s):
Wedding
Place:
Wesley Church, Quirindi NSW.
Made by:
Self? Local dressmaker?
Made for:
Amelia Anderson
Trimmings / Decoration
Home made pleating of brown taffeta decorating edge of jacket, sleeves, skirt and top of decorative pocket. Also strip of self fabric pleating on skirt. Extra button in small internal pocket.
Ribbon
Home made edging around bottom of skirt
Piping
Around arm hole
Fibre / Weave
The fabric appears to have a stripe of satin over the brown check cotton background created by some process we do not understand. Could it have been woven in one piece or added afterwards?
Basic fabric cream coloured cotton with brown checks, with cream satin over weaving.
- Natural dye
- Synthetic dye
Fastenings
The buttons are decorative, covered in brown taffeta fabric.
- Hook and eye
- Lacing
- Buttons
- Zip
- Drawstring
Stiffening / Lining / Padding
Whalebone in two short strips in casing under the bust.
Skirt lining coarser fabric than jacket. For added stiffness.
Measurements
| jacket | skirt | |
|---|---|---|
| Girth | ||
| Neck | 320 mm | |
| Waist | 680 mm | 680 mm |
| Hip | 1140 mm | 1140 mm |
| Cuff | 240 mm | |
| Hem circumference | 1500 mm | |
| Vertical | ||
| Front neck to hem | 355 mm | |
| Back neck to hem | 840 mm | |
| Back waist to hem | 1040 mm | |
| Sleeve length | 470 mm | |
| Horizontal | ||
| Neck to sleeve head | 170 mm | |
| Convert to inches | ||
train 200 mm, making length of skirt at back 1240 mm
Additional material
Articles, publications, diagrams and receipts descriptions
Porter family history published in:
Journal of Quirindi & District Historical Society Inc. Historical Notes Vol ll, No. 6
Other related objects
Relationship with Mary Ann/Isabella's wedding dress - Amelia was Isabella's sister-in-law
Condition
Evidence of repairs
Holes on skirt lining.
Frayed on hemline of train.
Stained on frill.
Slight perspiration stains on lining under arms.
Torn on skirt lining.
Insect damage
None
Mould damage
Iron mould on lining of skirt
State
- Excellent
- Good
- Fair
- Poor
Damage
- Discolouration
- Frayed
- Holes
- Stained
- Torn
- Iron stains