Description:
Child's black silk taffeta bodice, probably worn for mourning. The bodice features a low, wide neckkline and several horizontal pleats across the top front of the bodice. Low, self-piped, set-in sleeves with half-length sleeves that terminate in matching applied fringe. The bodice comes to sharp point at the center front, and termimates straight across the back. In additoin to the center front bodice seam, two darts (one on either side) flanks this seam. The bodice opens center back with nine brass hook (proper left) and eye (proper right) closures; three hooks are missing. Self-piped curved "seams" on either side of center back. Inside, the bodice is completely lined in a plain weave linen. One casing for boning (probably baleen) is attached at the center front inside. The silk is splitting or shattering in many areas, perhaps the result of iron used in the black dye. For families who could afford to do so, the purchase and wearing of mourning clothes was a necessary facet of 19th-century life. The fact that this anonymous family could afford to clothe a child in mourning clothes attests to their wealth. Black taffeta was a suitable fabric for fine mourning clothes; elegant, yet not as reflective as a satin weave, in keeping with mourning customs. This bodice would have been worn with a matching skirt, which may have been taken apart and reused for some other purpose later. Center back length: 6.75"
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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2005.11.1 |
