1860
Dress
Black moiré silk mourning dress - fume faded to brown over time - one piece with skirt pleated onto a fitted waist which is rounded. Waist has round neck, front opening, velvet buttons and velvet trim across front forming a square yoke effect. Sleeves with fullness below elbow (one repaired with plain silk). Skirt has a wide crinoline skirt with a slight train. Matching belt with black flower Excellent condition with the exception of the faded moiré silk. Worn with a triangular lace shawl that is also black turned brown with age.
As the Civil War began in 1861, widows became common. The death of Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert in December of 1861 made widowhood almost fashionable. There was a passion for black full mourning and gray, then lavender half-mourning through the remainder of the century.
Provenance:
Belden, Miss Mary Sherman UCONN ’22, Danbury, CT
Construction Label:
NA
1951C 1860.6
Black moiré silk mourning dress - fume faded to brown over time - one piece with skirt pleated onto a fitted waist which is rounded. Waist has round neck, front opening, velvet buttons and velvet trim across front forming a square yoke effect. Sleeves with fullness below elbow (one repaired with plain silk). Skirt has a wide crinoline skirt with a slight train. Matching belt with black flower Excellent condition with the exception of the faded moiré silk. Worn with a triangular lace shawl that is also black turned brown with age.
As the Civil War began in 1861, widows became common. The death of Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert in December of 1861 made widowhood almost fashionable. There was a passion for black full mourning and gray, then lavender half-mourning through the remainder of the century.
Provenance:
Belden, Miss Mary Sherman UCONN ’22, Danbury, CT
Construction Label:
NA
1951C 1860.6