Open robe polonaise
Category
Costume
Date
1770
Materials
Card, Linen, Metal, Shot silk, Silk, Taffeta
Measurements
535 mm (W)
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Wade Costume Collection, Gloucestershire
NT 1348722.1
Summary
Dress; Open robe polonaise - Part of a shot silk taffeta dress with orange warp/blue weft to give copper effect. Bodice and sleeves lined with bleached linen. Bodice square neckline, pointed, closed edge-to-edge centre front. Bodice cut separately from skirt. Centre back seam with 2 seams and 1 tuck to either side tapering to shallow pointed waist. 5 whalebones. Sleeve tucked at head, fitted elbow. Skirt 5 widths, box-pleated to bodice to side front. Full. Folded front edges to hold trimming. 3 loops (one missing). Longer at back. Pocket slits. Ruched self fabric trim round neck edge and bottom front bodice. Pleated same front edges of skirt, 2 straight lengths and 1 serpentine with silk covered card 'buttons'. Modern hooks and eyes on centre front bodice. Drawstring at neck. Evidence of pining. Bodice back shows signs of remodelling. Petticoat - 4.5 widths. Flat pleated towards sides. Top edge bound linen tape, ties both sides. Deep self flounce all round hem. cf Nancy Bradfield 'Costume in Detail' pg. 59, Janet Arnold 'Patterns of Fashion' p. 40 (female) Wade Catalogue number E.11 "Dress of silk, shot plum colour. 1750-70" Bought from Mrs Solomon for £5.5.0 (with matching petticoat)