-
Australian dress register ID:
544 -
Owner:
Riversdale National Trust -
Owner registration number:
40267 -
Date range:
1820 - 1830 -
Place of origin:
Australia (possibly) -
Gender:
Female
Object information
Significance statement
It is a rare example of early nineteenth century dress. The cotton print is vibrant and in very good condition and has been very carefully placed to match on seams and sleeve bands. It is entirely hand stitched. The day dress with its fall front would have facilitated maternity and breast feeding as women were frequently pregant and had many children. This style of dress was very practical and probably the norm rather than the exception at this time.
Its condition is excellent and shows no sign of fading. It has however been worn as the hem as been caught in several places. Further research into the Twynam family history may improve the provenance of this dress. Author: , .
Description
Day dress; Dark Blue, indigo coloured dye, (all dyes of this period are natural dyes) printed cotton with cream/yellow and white floral design; front panel pinned at each side to give a square neckline; high waisted; short puffed sleeves. The whole bodice is lined in thick cotton, right and left fronts tying at the centre front; skirt is long and straightish, two widths of fabric hemmed at the bottom; the skirt is gathered from sides and around the back and has cartridge pleating into the back; all hand stitched; front panel has 9 horizontal tucks. Placket side front to allow the person to get into the garment. Channel in front at top of skirt with ties, holds dress up when tied around inside of dress.
History and Provenance
Place of origin:
Australia (possibly)
Owned by:
The history and provenance of the garment is still being researched. . Believed to be owned by the Twynam family.
Trimmings / Decoration
Ribbon
cream rayon ribbon added later to tie the front underneath the flap; 2 old pieces of rubber elastic indicates the dress is not a reproduction and dates to when patented rubber elastic came in during 1820's
Tucking
front panel has 9 horizontal tucks
Fibre / Weave
Plain weave printed cotton; exceptional condition for the 1820's, bright, vibrant, fresh colour. The fabric is 600mm width and is thought to be European.
- Natural dye
- Synthetic dye
Manufacture
Fine stitching and strongly stitched; patterns well matched on sleeves and centre back; probably done by and experienced seamstress. Classic style shaping at the back
- Hand sewn
- Machine sewn
- Knitted
- Other
Cut
The dress itself is all cut on the straight. The sleeves are cut on the bias giving them softness and fullness.
The V cut in the back of the bodice has structural seams common in the 1800's-1850's. The V comes from the armhole to the centre back waist
- Bias
- Straight
Fastenings
The elastic ties if original are very early use of elastic which was only patented in 1820. It could possibly have been added later but does appear to be original.
Elastic to tie front bodice; cotton drawstring around waist. Possibly buttons on the top corners of the fall panel to hold it closed.
- Hook and eye
- Lacing
- Buttons
- Zip
- Drawstring
Stiffening / Lining / Padding
Lining is in cotton on straight grain firm fabric. Lining in sleeve acts to stop puff in the sleeves flattening when worn.
Measurements
| dress | |
|---|---|
| Girth | |
| Neck | 920 mm |
| Chest | 780 mm |
| Waist | 700 mm |
| Cuff | 285 mm |
| Hem circumference | 2120 mm |
| Vertical | |
| Front neck to hem | 1130 mm |
| Front waist to hem | 940 mm |
| Back neck to hem | 1180 mm |
| Back waist to hem | 950 mm |
| Sleeve length | 215 mm |
| Horizontal | |
| Neck to sleeve head | 40 mm |
| Cross back | 260 mm |
| Underarm to underarm | 410 mm |
| Fabric width | 600 mm |
| Convert to inches | |
Neck 920mm at its tightest, will increase neck by 80mm for maternity purposes; measurement at its tightest for waist (high waist); 350mm sleeve length of puff cut on the bias gives the sleeve softness.
Condition
Evidence of repairs
3 tears on the hem. large tears on right side at the top where bodice and skirt are sewn. Numerous small tears in the skirt.
State
- Excellent
- Good
- Fair
- Poor
Damage
- Holes
- Torn