Images(6)

Gown and fragments, brocaded silk

Date1770s (textile); late 1780s - early 1790s (gown)

OriginGreat Britain (textile); worn in America

MediumSilk, metallic threads, linen, cotton

DimensionsA. OL approximately 65 in.; Waistline about 27 in.
B. OL 40 in.
C. 18 3/4 by 20 1/4 in. (selvage width).

Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2023-163,A-C

DescriptionWoman's gown, fragmentary petticoat panel, and fragment of cream-color silk woven and brocaded with metallic threads and colored silks in a pattern of wide stripes overlaid with small isolated floral sprigs in silver metallic, rose-red, pink, and green. A secondary pattern of scattered curving leaves is woven in the cream-color silk.

A. Gown has a fitted bodice, wide slightly squared neckline, and center front closure dipping to squared shape below the front waist. Wrist-length sleeves are cut to curve over the elbows, ending in stitched-down cuffs. Bodice and sleeves are lined with plain-woven linen. The full skirt is stitched to the bodice with pleats directed toward the front. The skirt is open at the front to be worn with a separate matching petticoat and the hem angles back into a train. The bodice back dips low into the separately applied skirt. The condition is very poor, with repairs, splits, and holes and some skirt pieces separated.

B. Apron-like skirt panels pleated to a later twill tape waistband. The piece consists of three selvage-width panels seamed together, hemmed, and pleated. They were probably used as a petticoat substitute to fill in the open center front skirt of the gown.

C. Flat panel of silk cut in a rectangle with stepped cutouts on one corner. The piece has selvages on two sides and cut edges at top and bottom.

Construction History:
1. 1770s: Textile originally woven.
2. Late 1780s to early 1790s: Gown constructed or remodeled from a previous iteration.Label TextAlthough fragile and fragmentary, this gown carries historical associations. According to the family in which it descended, it was worn by Frances Wright (Mrs. Richard) Blow of Norfolk, Virginia, at an inaugural ball for President George Washington and again at a birthday party for the first president.Provenance1780s, possibly worn by Frances Phripp Wright (Mrs. Richard) Blow [1767-1838] (Norfolk and Portsmouth, VA); dates unknown, descended in family; ca. 1954, Miss Lily Pegram (Richmond, VA); 1954, given to Valentine Museum (Richmond, VA); 2023; given to Colonial Williamsburg Foundation