Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Dress, Wedding |
Catalog Number |
2019.61.1 |
Date |
1849 |
Material(s) |
Silk/Cotton |
Dimensions |
H-52 W-15.5 inches |
Description |
This is an emerald green silk wedding dress (part a) with one detachable sleeve (part b). The dress appears to be a separate bodice and skirts, but there is a series of dark brown stitches exposed on the bodice where the skirt is sewn to the top. The stitches appear to be some type of repair or stabilization that was done at a later time. The fabric is green and gold iridescent with small green and gold embroidered flowers. The bodice has a wide, off-the-shoulder neckline. It has short sleeves that are open at the top. The edge of the sleeves are trimmed with solid green silk that has been slightly gathered. The bodice is triangular and elongated in shaped and terminates at a point below the waistline. The front center of the bodice has been gathered into a series of very small pleats that are reinforced with interior boning. The pleats extend into the low waistline and are in the shape of a curved, triangular wedge. The back side of the bodice is made of two panels of fabric that are connected by a series of hooks and eyes. The proper right side of the back opening has two series of hooks. The outer hooks are made of brass while the interior hooks are contemporary additions. The interior of the dress is lined with beige linen. The front side has three casings with boning, and there are two casings (one on each side) that are missing the boning inserts. There is a circular pad stitched in place on each side of the front interior. The rear interior lining has a segment of boning that runs parallel to the back opening of the garment. The side seams of the bodice have parallel stitch lines that suggest that this bodice was altered at one point. The full length skirt is gathered around the top and is hand stitched to the bodice. There is a series of three parallel stitch lines that run around the circumference of the skirt where a flounce appears to have been at one point. The skirt has two flounces stitched to the skirt. One is stitched 18 inches below the waistline, and the other is stitch 28 inches below the waistline. Each flounce is trimmed with a one inch strip of solid green silk. The top edges of the flounce are finished with a thin piping accent. The skirt is made of six different panels that are connected by vertical seams. The front side seam located on the proper right features and interior pocket with an opening along the seam line. The pocket is made of beige linen. The bottom interior of the skirt is lined with polished cotton or linen that has pinked top edges. The detachable sleeve (part b) appears to have been the proper right sleeve. It is lined with beige continental linen. The sleeve has one interior seam that is trimmed with piping. The elbows are gathered. The cuff has two hook and eye closures. |
Notes |
Ann Elizabeth Duerson wore this dress when she married William Halley Smith on September 6, 1849. The marriage was performed by Rev. "Raccoon" John Smith probably in the vicinity of Winchester, Clark County, or Mount Sterling. The couple had one son, Jefferson Wright Smith. Ann died two years after her marriage on September 11, 1851. She may have died of typhoid. |
Collection |
Marie Copeland Collection |
People |
Smith, Ann Elizabeth Duerson |
Subjects |
Dress Dresses Marriage Wedding clothing & dress Wedding costume Weddings |
Search Terms |
Winchester (Ky.) Mt. Sterling (Ky.) Clark County (Ky.) |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |