Images(2)

Gown, brocaded silk

Date1770-1780; textile ca. 1720

OriginEngland (textile); worn in America, New York

MediumSilk, linen, cotton (sleeve ruffles)

DimensionsOL: 61 in.
Selvage width of textile: 17 1/4 in.
Waist: up to 31 in.

Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2023-185

DescriptionWoman's gown of blueish-white silk woven with blue supplementary wefts and brocaded with reds, salmon, and brown in a symmetrical pattern of flower clusters and scrolling leaves. The fitted bodice has a low rounded neckline with center-front edge-to-edge closure. The bodice curves down below the waist at center fronts. The bodice and sleeves are lined with linen. Fitted sleeves are hemmed and trimmed with later tacked-on ruffles. The full skirt is pleated to the bodice and is open at the front to reveal a petticoat (missing). Skirt consists of five panels of selvage-width silk. The back bodice is fitted, releasing into the skirt with pleats at the center waistline. Both front and back bodice and the skirt are pieced up and heavily mended, suggesting considerable remodeling.

Probably 1720s, original construction
1770-1780s, remodeling to present style
Probably nineteenth century, sleeve ruffles added and some patching done
Twentieth century, mending and backing hem with silk gauze.Label TextAmerican women relied on British imported textiles for of their most fashionable gowns. The expensive silk textile in this gown, likely dating to the 1720s, was cherished and later remodeled for wear in the 1770s.ProvenanceProbable line of descent: Mary Bostwick Aspinwall (?-1793, married to William Smith Aspinall/Aspinwall [probably New York]; by descent to Ann (Aspinwall) Hadden (1786-1845, married to David Hadden) [New York]; by descent to Isabella (Hadden) Tomes (1810-1842, married to Charles Tomes) [New York]; by descent to Isabella Hadden (Tomes) Bend (1840-1916, married Col. William Bradford Bend) [New York and Minnesota]; by descent to Mary Aspinwall (Bend) Sedgwick (1878-1963, married to Theodore Sedgwick [Massachusetts]; by descent to Edith Ludlow (Sedgwick) Gibson (1906-1972, married to George Dandridge Gibson, div. 1966) [Massachusetts and Richmond, Virginia]; by descent to Pamela (Gibson) Farrar (1936-2022, married to John T. Farrar) [Richmond, Virginia and Baltimore, Maryland]; 1973, given to Valentine Museum (Richmond, VA); 2023, given to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)