1898
2 piece dress
Black jet, popular at the end of the century added sparkle and life to the very black textiles, especially for evening wear. It was more common for women to venture out of the house in the evenings now. Entertainment most often required sitting in a seat at the theatre that did not allow for bustle or crinolines. The bodice is trimmed in black jet and the black capelet with jet beaded fringe has wired shoulders to keep the shape of the garment despite the weight of the jet beading and fringe. The skirt is a fine vertical pattern of black lace not heavily shaped but allowed to fall straight down along the lines of the lace.
The bodice belonged to Isabelle Williams Knowlton, the wife of Charles Clark Knowlton. Mr. Knowlton was owner of the silk manufacturer Hammond, Knowlton and Company. They lived in the large house on Knowlton Hill that straddles the border of Mansfield and Ashford. Beaded overcape owned by Mrs. Charles Thresher of Gurleyville, CT. The skirt belonged to Kate Congdon of Willimantic, CT married to Thomas Rose Congdon - owner of a large dry goods store.
Provenance:
Guyman, Evelyn, Mansfield, CT from the estate of Mildred Hammond-Knowlton
Construction Label:
Handmade
1994C 1898.025
Black jet, popular at the end of the century added sparkle and life to the very black textiles, especially for evening wear. It was more common for women to venture out of the house in the evenings now. Entertainment most often required sitting in a seat at the theatre that did not allow for bustle or crinolines. The bodice is trimmed in black jet and the black capelet with jet beaded fringe has wired shoulders to keep the shape of the garment despite the weight of the jet beading and fringe. The skirt is a fine vertical pattern of black lace not heavily shaped but allowed to fall straight down along the lines of the lace.
The bodice belonged to Isabelle Williams Knowlton, the wife of Charles Clark Knowlton. Mr. Knowlton was owner of the silk manufacturer Hammond, Knowlton and Company. They lived in the large house on Knowlton Hill that straddles the border of Mansfield and Ashford. Beaded overcape owned by Mrs. Charles Thresher of Gurleyville, CT. The skirt belonged to Kate Congdon of Willimantic, CT married to Thomas Rose Congdon - owner of a large dry goods store.
Provenance:
Guyman, Evelyn, Mansfield, CT from the estate of Mildred Hammond-Knowlton
Construction Label:
Handmade
1994C 1898.025