Polonaise
Category
Costume
Date
1743
Materials
Lace, Linen, Metal, Silk
Measurements
495 mm (W)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Wade Costume Collection, Gloucestershire
NT 1348715
Summary
Dress; Polonaise - Cream silk with large brocaded design of multicoloured flower sprays on damask background of cloud shapes. Point retree. Bodice and sleeves lined with unbleached linen. Bodice fitted, closed front, low, curved neckline, waist comes to low point back and front. 3 seams centre back tapering to waist. Sleeve elbow length, slanting edge at elbow. Skirt separate from bodice. 5 widths of fabric, pleated all round onto bodice. Linen tapes and loops for polonaise arrangement. No trimmings. Fastened with wire eyes each side of bodice front. Fragment of lace with metal tag. Alterations - two darts made below the waist. Fabric much earlier than the present style of dress - 1743. Side back and waist seams have been re-stitched. Shoulder bands replaced. There is an almost identical silk in the costume division of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington (304093) (female) Wade Catalogue number E.1 "Dress of silk brocade, cream ground with design showing gilly flowers etc in colours. 1740-60" Bought from F.W. Phillips for £8.5.0
Provenance
bought from F W Phillips, The Manor House, Hitchin, Hertfordshire for £8.5.0. Bill dated January 1913. CW E1