1867 Gold Satin Ball Gown

Gold silk satin gown; triangle shapes over net decorate wide, low rounded neck edge and set-in sleeves (no piping in armscye). Off-white pile fabric flowers with hard white centers trim shoulders. Bodice has two boned "princess" seams either side of center-front extending from waist to neck edge below net; side back seams also boned, center backs boned with very narrow round bones that look like baleen. Back princess seams topstitched, back closure thread eyelets; linen lining in bodice.
The net and floral decorations on the bodice are not original to the garment. Both the net and the flowers are made of rayon and were more than likely used to replace similar decorations on the garment during a restoration process completed prior to Ohio State's acquisition of the artifact. The dress itself shows no signs of alteration.

Bell shaped 7-gore skirt cartridge pleated all around to waistband--smaller pleats in front, deeper in back. Waistband faced with off-white cotton. Skirt has long train, pocket in right side front seam and left side front slit opening with hook and loop closure on waistband. Skirt lined with cotton bobbinet at waist to 11.5" off-white polished cotton hem facing. Hem edge of skirt 3/8" cording covered with gold satin.

HCT.1995.999.19ab

1867

This dress was from the Traphagen School of Fashion's Collection. They purchased it from Mrs. Renfrew July 1952.

Satin dress fabric is silk
Bodice is lined in linen (flax)
Replacement net and flowers on bodice are rayon

1860-1869