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Historic Costume | Fine and Decorative Arts

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Dress, Christening

Clothing/Dress/Costume

Entirely hand-stitched long pinafore-style infant christening or baptismal gown made of white cotton lawn or cambric. The gown has a long opening in the back that is tied at the neck and waist. The neck of the gown is large and edged with narrow netted scalloped lace. Casings at the neck and waist are threaded with a thin tape that ties in the back. The casing is embroidered with connected small French knots. The sleeves are caps of white embroidered eyelet edging that extends along the bodice panel. The panel is made of lace insertion in three strips with triangular gussets tapering to the waist and decorated with feather embroidery. The waist casing is attached to the skirt which has cartridge pleating. The skirt is fronted with a wide apron panel edged with white eyelet embroidered edging. The panel is plain at the top, then finished with horizontal tucks and alternate white embroidery insertions, ending with white embroidered edging. The sides and back of the skirt have two tucks above the hem.

2008.005.238

Beulah Marshall Bailey Collection

Infant

Historic Costume

Dress

Unisex

Cotton

White

1860 - 1880

36 in

38 in

Dressed for the Photographer: Ordinary Americans & Fashion, 1840-1900.

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