Dress, about 1850

Boy's Red Wool Dress, about 1850

Red wool dress with wide shoulders, cap sleeves. Silk-lined Basque bodice with tucked front. Unlined flat-pleated skirt with tuck. Purple silk applique. Piping at waist and sleeve seams. Center-back hook and threaded-eye closure. Expertly hand-sewn; small stitches. This dress is notable for its exquisite workmanship, high styling for a children's garment, and unisex quality. It was probably for a boy, and probably worn with drawers and undersleeves. The bodice tucks and shoulder/sleeve construct…

Black wool riding habit from the nineteenth century

This woman's black wool riding habit has a fitted jacket (a) with a stand-up collar and a cloth ruffle showing above the top. It has sloping shoulders, and long, tight sleeves. It buttons down the front, and is cut-away with a short tail in the back. The skirt (b) is very long and full, and is gathered at the waist in large pleats. It has a black cloth waistband. The black felt hat (c) has a round crown with a narrow visor in the front. It has a band of black grosgrain ribbon, and is lined wit…