Object Number 1969.2571

Object Name

Dress (Sack or sacque dress)

Category

Textiles (Clothing)

Credit Line/Donor

Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont

Place of Origin

United States, North America

Secondary Place of Origin

Lyon, France, Europe

Secondary Origin Notes

Probably woven at Lyon.

Date

1765-1775

Materials

Silk; Linen; Glass; Lead

Dimensions (inches)

69.25 (L)

Dimensions (centimeters)

175.9 (L)

Measurement Notes

OL measurement is from back shoulder to hem. Size in cm's: 175.9cm. 13: 75 E

Object Description

Web - 08/03/2016

A saque dress, made of purple silk brocaded damask. Trimmed with lace and white glass beads (probably added ten years after original construction). The primary fabric is plain weave silk with a brocaded lace and floral design in white, yellow, orange, green, red, and pink textured yarn.

The fitted front bodice closes with metal hook and eye closures. The back bodice has central free-flowing pleats flanked by pleats stitched to the waist. The skirt has extra gathering ties inside the side seam slits for hoops. The side seams carry slits for pockets. Then neckline and front edge are trimmed with gathered lace, white glass beads, and purple and green looped trim of silk wrapped on stiffened material. The front of skirt is trimmed with swags of two kinds of lace, white glass beads and white silk tape with hand-painted red and purple c-scrolls, vines, and medallions; trained hem. The elbow-length sleeves are finished with flounces and trimmed at the bottom with lace, glass beads, and purple and green looped trim; circular lead piece covered with silk attached to inside flounces; bodice and sleeves lined with white plain weave linen; back lining laces; hem and sleeve flounces lined with blue plain weave silk; all hand-sewn.

Bibliography and Bibliographic Notes

[Book] Waugh, Norah & Woodward, Margaret. 1968 The Cut of Women's Clothes: 1600 -1930.
• Plate 32 and diagram XIX