Silk Taffeta Three Piece Dress, 1870s

This dress comes from the Tasha Tudor Collection of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Tasha Tudor (née Starling Burgess, 1915-2008) was a writer and illustrator of children’s books, including Mother Goose and Corgiville Fair. The idyllic, 19th century world she painted in her books was the lifestyle she pursued: for much of her adult life Tudor lived on New England farms, weaving, tending to animals, baking bread, and collecting, mending, and wearing centuries-old clothing.

For detailed biography, see Jeanette Chandler Knazek, “Tasha Tudor,” Tashatudorandfamily.com.

This lot includes a three piece dress; one day bodice, one evening bodice, and one skirt.

Blue silk taffeta dress trimmed with pink ribbon, purple silk, white lace, and blue chenille fringe. The day bodice is trimmed with purple silk along the box cut neckline, dropped shoulder long sleeves, front button closure, and lined with white cotton. The evening bodice has an open neckline trimmed with ruched self fabric, short cap sleeves with white net and pink ribbon, and center back lace-up closure. The full skirt is made with vertical godets and heavily gathered into the waistband at the center back.
Unlabeled
Size Label: N/A

Approximate Measurements:
DAY BODICE
Shoulders: 16"
Chest: 29"
Waist: 22"
Length (high shoulder point to waist): 15"
Sleeve (center back neck to hem): 28"

EVENING BODICE
Shoulders: 15"
Chest: 31"
Waist: 23"
Length (center back): 11.5"
Sleeve (center back neck to hem): 15"

SKIRT
Waist: 24"
Hips: 60"
Length (side waist band to hem): 47"

Deaccessioned by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Proceeds to Benefit the Acquisition Fund

Condition:

The overall condition is good with the following:

Structural Issues: The day bodice pink silk lining is shattering on the facing of the jacket tails. There is some weakening of the fabric around the waistband of the skirt.
Split/Separated Seams: There is some loose stitching along the center back gathered embellishment on the evening bodice. The skirt has opened along the side seam.
Fading/Color Change: There is an overall brown-hued discoloration throughout the blue silk on each piece of the dress.
Soiling/Spots: There is a water spot on the right back sleeve of the day bodice and on the cotton lining of the evening bodice.

Everything is sold 'As Is’. The stated overall condition of the lot is based on the assumption that the wear is consistent with age and use. The absence of any reference to the condition of a lot does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. All other condition issues are stated above. To request additional working condition photos, please email [email protected] with the lot number. Condition is a matter of opinion of the evaluator and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Clients must review and agree to the Conditions of Sale before participating in an auction.

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Silk Taffeta Three Piece Dress, 1870s

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