1870's Pink and Light Coffee Colored Silk Dress

From the seller:

Extravagant ladies reception gown dating to the third quarter of the 19thc. Museum deaccession. In a taupe silk. Fitted bodice with fancy tab detailing and contrasting button up waist cincher in the pink damask, this same damask repeated on front apron of skirt and backing all bows and ribbon streamers. Layers of bias cut ruffles at hem and train, decorative buttons thru out. Not perfect in as found condition the silk is a bit dry and there are some breaks small to larger on both sides of skirt, some loose stitching to bows and trim. Still a looker! and displays well, the petticoat used here was too large for the period, sorry, and also might have even needed a bit of bustle pad.

MEASUREMENTS: Bodice has 36" chest, 24" waist, and 18" sleeves. Skirt has a 22" waist, and measures 42" in the front, 63" in the back.

From Me:

I'm glad the seller admitted that the petticoat was wrong for the period. This is an early Natural Form dress. My guess is right at 1876 based on the neckline and the fullness of the skirt. Although the seller calls the color taupe, it looks like a coffee with too much cream in the photos to me. My guess this is more individual perception rather than the camera being bad (which we've seen happen!). I think this would be a drool worthy project if anyone was looking for a neat dress to do for the Historical Sew Monthly Brown challenge.