T

THE LOOK OF BEAUTY

THE COLLECTION


High-necked linen dress, ca. 1909. Chest and waist area are beautifully decorated with crocheted lace. Half-length sleeves. The one-piece dress is pleated in the lower skirt area. Back closure with hooks and eyes. Stand-up collar made of embroidered tulle. In good condition, with a few minor flaws: small tear in the stand-up collar, few stains, one missing part in the hem area of the skirt.

Very elegant summer dress, ca. 1907. The dress is very elaborately decorated with white embroidery. In addition there are medallions made of lace, which are artfully worked into the dress. What an indescribable handwork. Someone must have sewn the dress for many, many hours. Three quarter length sleeves. Front and back are worked in the area of the skirt in the style of a long apron. The skirt is worked in two layers. Very well preserved. Minor stains and discolorations.

Very elegant tea dress made of white muslin fabric, ca. 1903. half-length sleeves, skirt that falls in bell shape, white lace applications on the sleeves and in the chest area. The applications in the bust area resemble a bolero. Original underdress made of glazed cotton fabric in the colour yellow. Very well preserved. A few tiny holes and repaired areas.

A tea gown or tea-gown is a woman's dress for informal entertaining at home. These dresses, which became popular around the mid-19th century, are characterized by unstructured lines and light fabrics. Tea gowns were intended to be worn without a corset or assistance from the maid; however, elegance always came first. During the 19th century, it was not appropriate for women to be seen in public wearing a tea gown. They were intended to be worn indoors with family and close friends during a dinner party. Although tea gowns were meant for midday wear, they could be worn into the evening. Women started wearing tea gowns in the evening for dinner or certain events at home with close friends and family by 1900. Tea gowns intended for day wear usually had high necks, while evening tea gowns had lower necks.

Two-piece antique afternoon dress from the golden 1920s. It was worn in Europe around the year 1925. The antique dress consists of a sleeveless underdress and a coat-style overdress. Both are made of silk crêpe and decorated with handmade filet lace. The ensemble is very well preserved. A few tiny stains on both parts. Slight discoloration. On the jacket there are a few threads pulled vertically at one point.

TWO SILK DAY DRESSES,
ca 1906

2-pc cream crepe de chine gown w/ manipulated bias band creating double edged scallop ruffle throughout, monobosom bodice w/ tan lace & ruffle cuffs, original cotton slip w/ lace insertion & ruffle, B 41.5", W 28.75", L 16.5", skirt W 27", L 43", floral embroidered petticoat W 32", L 43", (5.5" collar detaching front, W modified w/ velcro, stained/shattering underarms w/ repairs, wear/stains to lace, tiny-0.25" stains, small holes) good; 2-pc silk & cotton w/ woven vertical silk satin stripe, overprinted w/ vine & leaf motif, black novelty braid trim, yoke & collar of chemical lace over silk satin, B 41.75", W 29.5", L 16", skirt W 30", L 43", (wear to W & modified w/ velcro pieces, underarm wear, stains to hem facing, closure wear, small holes) good.

ONE TEA DRESS & ONE DAY DRESS, 1908-1911


3-pc tea dress w/ steel blue silk taffeta bodice overlaid w/ cotton net, chemical lace yoke & cuffs, chemical lace insertions into net overskirt & applied to integrated cummerbund W band, half silk satin underskirt w/ silk velvet hem facing, c. 1908,B 46.5", W 29", L 16.5", 2-layer skirt W 30.5", L 41.5"-48", (light staining throughout, 2" & 4" stains CF skirt, broken brides, small holes, velcro modification at W) good; 1 white cotton dimity dress w/ woven light pink stripes, Heilmann lace &mm bobbin, decorative double cross buttons, c. 1911, B 45", W 32.75", L 56.5", (various stains throughout, 1.25" hole left SH, 0.25"-2" repairs/patches, velrco modification at W) fair.

TWO EMBROIDERED OR LACE TEA DRESSES, LATE 1900s


1 w/ Schiffli broderie anglaise & padded dimensional floral embroidery, scalloped dot motif to either side of undulating hem band, c. 1908, B 36”, W 25”, L 53”, (discoloration at hem, scattered tiny spot stains, 1" inking at CB neckline, 1.75" & 3" holes in lace at underarms, minor fraying, scattered 0.25"-1" holes in lace on sleeves) good; 1 treated cotton w/ mm fillet lace insertions, in stylized fruit motif, c. 1906, B 42", W 22.5", L 50", (underarm stains, few scattered spot stains, line of tiny-0.75" spot stains at seat, tiny worn spots) good.

Museum of History & Industry.