#1247  Childs Mourning Dress  c. 1830

United States   

Materials: Black silk twill, silk floss, cotton bodice lining.

Provenance: Dress belonged to Elizabeth Allen White of Pittsfield, MA.

Condition: Very good. When held to light the skirt fabric has many tiny holes, and a couple of 1" splits. There is a 2" tear in the back of the left sleeve. Despite problems in the fabric this dress has the appearance of being in good condition. 

Measurements: Sh- Sh, 11"; W, 23"; Dress L, 33"; Hem c, 80".

 Comments: The construction of this home made childs mourning dress is quite interesting. From the front, the dress has a trompe lioeil bolero and a waistband with a high center point. These features, as well as the sleeve cuffs and hem are decorated with an embroidered feather stitching. It is quite rare to find children's clothing from the early 19th C. and even rarer for a mourning dress to survive.