Clothing - WOMAN'S BLACK RIBBED SILK BODICE, 1880-1900

Physical description

Clothing. Woman's black ribbed silk bodice, fully ;lined with black cotton fabric. High round neckline with stand up lined lace collar (4cm), fastened left of centre at front with two metal hooks and eyes. Front lining fastened with twelve metal hooks and eyes from throat to waistband. Waistband (5.5cm) of horizontal pleated fabric. Small pocket (8cm X 6cm) attached to inside lining on LHS. Waistband has 7 cm cross over tab section at centre front fastened with three metal hooks and eyes. Centre front opening is edged with black lace and tucked spotted voile, fastened with three metal hooks and eyes.A wide shawl collar across the shoulders extends and gathers into the waistband at front and back. This forms a V shaped opening at the front exposing the lace and voile beneath.The inner and outer edges of the collars have decorative knots. The centre of the collars have 18cm pin tucks from the shoulder seam at the front and 11 cm pin tucks at the back.At centre back. a panel of black lace runs from the collar to the hem of the waistband. Two gathered fabric tails are attached at centre back to hang below the hem of the waistband. Decorative lace as stitched across the shawl collar at the shoulders seams, ending with a decorative knot and cotton tassell (7cm). Set in Leg 'o'Mutton sleeves are gathered around the arm holes and gathered into a band of fabric with decorative lace and knots. The narrow lower section has a turned over hem edged with decorative knots and black lace. Each sleeve has a 5cm slit at the wrist. The bodice has fifteen bone casings spaced across the garment, from the waistband. These are stitched in place with yellow cotton. Some internal seams finished with yellow cotton. Hand stitched. Word ''GLEN" is written on one bone casing. Temporary darts have been stitched on both side seams with red cotton to reduce the size.

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