Textiles and Stuff

Description

This is a beautiful example of a baby’s dress dating from the early 19th century which is made of fine cotton and completely handworked. It has the usual wide and slightly square neckline, usual for the period, and short double frilled short sleeves. The robings start on the bodice and then are taken down to the waist, and then down both sides of the skirt front, increasing in width gradually as they reach the bottom hem. The robings are decorated with a very finely worked border of broderie anglaise. There is a matching frill of robing round the back neck.

The bodice is embroidered with horizontal strips which consist of two very fine couched cords and in between them a row of feather stitching and these cords enclose sections of ruched fabric, measuring only 3/8 inch wide. The waist band is decorated with minute embroidered dots.

The lower skirt is decorated with two rows of pin tucking and finished with a broad hem. The dress fastens at the back with narrow tapes at the neck and at the waist to adjust the size, and two hand made Dorset buttons.

Measurements chest 18 inches (45.7 cms.) and length from shoulder to hem is 44 inches (117 cms.).

There are several small slits in the frills on the robings and round the back of the neck. These can be seen in the photos. There is also a very small hole in the bodice at the back near the buttonhole, a small area of repair near the lower button, and a small brown mark on the robing at the front at the waist. Apart from these, considering its age, the dress is in very good condition and the overall appearance is excellent, an woonderful example for wearing for a Christening or display in a collection.
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