Wedding gown bodice
Marie Fauveau
Category
Costume
Date
1885
Materials
Silk crepe de chine, silk chiffon, crochet lace, pearls, gold beading, gold thread, boning, silk taffeta, hooks.
Measurements
450 x 400 mm
Place of origin
Belfast
Collection
Springhill, County Londonderry
NT 602827.3
Summary
A woman's wedding gown bodice, part of an ensemble, made from cream silk crepe de chine. The capped-sleeved bodice is decorated on the shoulder with a decorative panel of silk chiffon and silk taffeta, which is trimmed with cream crochet lace insertion, gold thread embroidery, gold beads and pearl beads. The original silk chiffon sleeves have been removed historically, although traces still remain on the inner lining. The bodice is tucked from neckline to hem both front and back and gathered onto a cream silk satin waistband. It is fully lined in cream silk taffeta, with eleven boning strips and two rows of hooks & eyes centre front for fastening, intact. A maker's mark on the inner waist tie of the bodice reads, "Mme Marie Fauveau. Belfast".
Provenance
Gift of Mrs Mitchell.
Marks and inscriptions
Embroidered on inner bodice waist tie.: A maker's mark on the inner waist tie of the bodice reads, "Mme Marie Fauveau. Belfast". See associated photograph for further details. Inner neckline, back left.: A handwritten label attached to the inner neckline reads, "Mrs Mitchell", the donor. See associated photograph for further details.
Makers and roles
Marie Fauveau, dressmaker