Dress
1850
19th Century
Unidentified,
Object Type:
Clothing and Accessories
Medium and Support:
silk
Credit Line:
Florence Griswold Museum
Accession Number:
C1974.186.a&b
The Court dress worn by Miss Evelyn McCurdy at a levee given by Queen Victoria about 1850. At that time she was acting as hostess for her father, Mr. Charles McCurdy, charged'affaires for the United States at the Court of Austria.
The bodice (a) has a white faille fitted bodice ending in a deep points front and back. There is fine cording at the bottom of the bodice which is boned up the back, at sides and on the three front seams, ending in the point. It has tucked cap sleeves and a low oval neck off the shoulders. There are holes for lacing up the back.
The regulation court train (b) is three yards long and tacked to the bodice. It is pleated at the sides and gathered at the back. The missing underskirt, probably made of perishable material, must have been worn over a hoop.
The wearer of this outfit accessorized with three white feathers in the woman's hair. The entire costume had to be white.