Images(2)

Overdress, netted cotton

Dateca. 1800

OriginEngland (probably)

MediumCotton, silk

DimensionsOL: 62 in.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, The Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Fund

Object number2024-105

DescriptionWoman's overdress or robe of cream-color cotton string, hand netted to create a heavy mesh. The dress is edged with half-inch yellow satin ribbon around the neck, down the open fronts, finishing the hem, and edging the 3/4 length fitted sleeves. The back of the dress has a narrow shoulder width and four corded seams running over the shoulders and diagonally from the sleeve armseyes to a raised waistline, where the net is released to create fullness at the center back. Two matching cotton puffs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, are tacked to the ends of the rear seams. One yellow satin ribbon, 1 1/4 inches wide and 22 inches long, is tacked under the proper left puff to create a tie brought around to the front. The other satin ribbon tie is missing.

Incoming condition: holes in net; missing ribbon.

Label TextAround 1800, some fashionable women wore sheer netted dresses as a decorative layer over a plain opaque dress. This net overdress is constructed entirely from hand-knotted cotton string to create a net structure similar to fish netting.ProvenanceBefore 2024, provenance unknown; 2024 [Meg Andrews, London]; 2024, purchased by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)