Evening Gown Front View

Gown: (A) Bodice of black taffeta brocaded with clusters of foliage and flowers; raised waist; extremely low, square neckline bordered by 1" wide matching pleated ribbon; fringe consisting of coils of black silk each with multi-colored silk thread tassels and gold coils border neckline; CF button closure; round buttons are glass enamel with floral pattern; coat sleeves; lower portion of sleeve with self fabric flounce and ribbon trim with fringe; princess seams from armscyes to waist at reverse; machine lace modesty piece fills neckline in (not original); lining of ivory China silk; sleeves lined with thinner ivory silk; boned; silk petersham with: "OLYMPE/ 154 CANAL STREET/ NEW ORLEANS".
(B) Voluminous skirt of matching silk; brocaded pattern on upper 3/4 of skirt matches bodice; lower portion of skirt brocaded with bouquets above swags of gold brocaded trompe l'oil fringe with hanging rows of flowers at intervals; front of skirt is flat with sides and reverse gored to create fullness; reverse cartridge pleated at waist.
Date: 1866-68
Note: This gown is photographed and described in "Denver Art Museum Costume Collection" catalogue ([Denver]: Denver Art Museum Quarterly, 1962).Deaccessioned from Denver Art Museum.

Pendant: Pendant with large faceted glass stone with locket in back; empty; around perimeter of stone and at the ring that holds the chain are small seed pearls.
Label: none
Date: 1820-50