Wedding Gown Detail

Cream wedding gown with butterfly motif; silk/wool blend plainweave with jacquard woven two and one-half inch wide stripes of butterflies with flowers in supplementary silk thread; bateau off-the-shoulder neckline with faux chemise netting gathered above silk/wool jacquard "V"-neckline; single pleat in upper bodice from shoulder to center front on each side; long, fitted sleeves with dropped shoulder seams; lace ruffles extend from cuffs; single white glass button closure; bodice waistline comes to point at center front; two sets of princess darts; one and one-quarter inch seam above waistline; skirt cartridge pleated into waist seam; full-length skirt in four panels; center back closure in bodice; silk drawstring tie at center back of faux chemise; narrow cotton drawstring at center back jacquard neckline; rectangular self-fabric panel inserted at proper left side of center back closure above waist; second self-fabric panel inserted below waist on proper left side of center back closure; double row of eyes on proper left side of center back with metal eyes on left and thread eyes at edge of extension; single set of hooks on proper right side of center back opening; slit at center back of skirt; bodice lined in cotton broadcloth; waistband and bodice extension lined in darker cotton; pocket inserted at proper left side of skirt; skirt unlined.
Label: Stitches in cream thread [possibly Asian writing] on interior PL panel; stitches in red thread at top of panel appear to read "AW".
Date: c. 1840