Sackback dress (1780)Historic Royal Palaces
This is a sack-back style dress from the 18th century made from light cotton muslin fabric, with silver embroidery. The muslin fabric is probably Jamandani or Dhaka muslin from Bengal (current Bangladesh and West Bengal in India).
The fabric was probably made and embroidered in Bengal, and made up into a dress in Britain.
Sackback dress (1780)Historic Royal Palaces
The fabric is embellished with silver thread embroidery.
Sackback dress, back (1780)Historic Royal Palaces
This gown is in the 'robe a la francaise' or 'sack-back' style. The fabric at the back is arranged in box pleats which fall loose from the shoulder to the floor with a slight train.
Foreign silks, printed cottons and other textiles including muslin were often banned from court in the 18th century in order to protect the British textiles industry.
Sackback dress, back (1780)Historic Royal Palaces
The ban on muslin was enforced by the East India Company, meaning the skills to make Jamandani muslin had almost disappeared by the end of the 1800s. In 2013, UNESCO declared Jamandani muslin an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Sackback dress (1780)Historic Royal Palaces
This garment is one of a number of 18th century gowns in the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. Browse the collection to find more hidden gems.
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