Images(4)

Dress

Dateca. 1795

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Gloucester County

MediumCotton, linen

DimensionsOverall Length: 57 inches

Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2023-106

DescriptionExtremely fine white cotton gown with tambour and drawn work flowers. The neck and waist both have casings for drawstrings. The back of the gown comes to a “V” with a low rounded front neck line. The center back and side seams are double corded. Each sleeve ends just above the elbow with three rows of tucks that match the same three rows at the hem. The gown opens down the center front.Label TextThe nearly 50 inch wide extremely fine cotton fabric of this gown was probably made in India and exported to England. While in England, the fabric was professionally tambour embroidered by women creating the delicate flowers and further embellished with drawnwork, pulling the fabric threads together to imitate lace. Once completed it made the trip across the Atlantic to Virginia, where it was purchased and a mantua maker or gown maker sewed the gown together.ProvenancePrior to 1965 owned by Mary Frances James Clements [1902-1993](Mathews County, Virginia); 1965 given to the Valentine Museum (Richmond, Virginia); 2023 transferred to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, Va).