Mid 1860's Red and Black Wrapper Gown

From the seller:
An antique original 1860 dress that has recently been found at a New England estate sale. The dress is made of cashmere and has a large red leaf pattern on a black background. The neckline, front opening and hemline are made of red cashmere. The front opening has black velvet piping and black velvet button closure. The skirt has a long back sweep.  It is fully lined with cotton.  The dress is in very good and sturdy condition. There are a few scattered moth nips, mostly to the back train. Bust 38 Loose fitting waist 30 Front skirt length 42 Back length 55.
From Me:

I love this wrapper if for no other reason that the use of colors. The print and the plain but vivid red border look perfect together.

1864 Fashion Plate

1862 Fashion Plate

Although I think this particular wrapper/morning dress is from 1864/1865, I wanted to show the 1862 one for the neckline.

1860's Blue and Pale Yellow Wrapper Gown

From the seller:

1850 - 1860 CIVIL WAR LADIES DRESSING GOWN WITH TRAIN MUSEUM DE-ACCESSIONED
Offering an exceptional fetching Civil war era 1850- 1860's lady's dressing gown in ivory wool and cotton with blue silk insert trim, with white braided trim, machine sewn and hand sewn.
Recently de-accessioned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC.
The  bodice is piped at armscyes at drop shoulder. The gown is lined with ivory colored polished cotton in bodice and gauze in skirt.  Gown has original fabric covered button closures in front, and one side pocket. The long curved arm sleeves and flared at top and tapering to wrist.

The back waistline is gathered with cartilage pleating hidden by a large back split peplum.




The gown is in fair to good study condition.  There is underarm discoloration stains.   Fringes are complete and not missing. Discoloration staining on front on hem line as shown in photo.  Scattered very small pin size dot oxidation spots all over. Few small holes in tan challis and in blue silk trim. Few small brown spots on front blue silk trim. The fabric is rich and supple.
MEASUREMENTS: 
Bust 38", Waist 38", Sleeve length 21", Length from shoulder to front hem 57",  Length from shoulder to back train 69", Shoulders across back 15", Circumference at hem line 168-1/2".
In fair to good, presentable condition and a great display gown for study or display. A beautiful display gown.
A superb hard to come by dress of 160+ years of graceful life.
This is a wonderful piece to add to an early collection.

From Me:



I think the extant one is later than the one above from a fashion mag circa 1863, but the similarities are pretty obvious: the design down the front, the shape of the sleeves, ect. The only reason I think the extant one is later is the "tails" in the back which were more popular in the later 1860's/early 1870's.



The above are the original photos from the MET...and the reason I think it's really a pale yellow rather than an ivory. Or else, it's faded a lot since it's been de-accessioned!

Here is a lovely gown that was inspired by this extant one.

American Civil War Era Wrapper

From the seller:
ANTIQUE DRESS 1850- 1860's SILK PLAID LADIES DRESS GOWN PAGODA SLEEVES FOR STUDY DISPLAY

Offering a 1850 - 1860's lady's gown dress green - brown plaid silk taffeta dress, one piece in construction with flared pagoda sleeves, front bows and all hand sewn. Green silk front is a changeable silk, changing in color with angles and light.


Recently de-accessioned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection in New York City.

The bodice is piped at sleeve armscyes, and at waistline, waistline is gathered with kick pleats, all hand sewn. The gown is fully lined with brown polished cotton in skirt and on bodice. Gown has original inner front white china buttons closures sewn in material closure. The long arms are flared with pagoda sleeves and double row of ruching in upper arm and pagoda sleeves are lined with brown polished cotton.

The gown is in fair/poor antique condition for study or display only. There is underarm discoloration stains on inside and light fading on outside Many small splits in the fabric on both armscyes, shoulders, bodice and body of skirt. Front and back spill staining as seen in photos. One bow is missing and one bow is fastened with a straight pin.

MEASUREMENTS:

Bust 33", Waist 33", Sleeve length 21", Length from shoulder to front hem 57", Shoulders across back 14", Width circumference at hemline 162".

The gown is in fair/poor antique condition for study or display only. The gown is not wearable. A beautiful display gown.

A hard to come by dress of 156+ years of graceful life.

This is a wonderful piece to add to an early collection.



From Me:

I love wrappers. They just look comfy. This wrapper is from about 1862/1863 based on the sleeves.

1850's Wrapper Dress with a Crazy Print

From the seller:

A charming 1860’s printed challis dress that has been de-accessioned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The fabric has a red and blue stripe pattern on a brown and tan background. The dress has pagoda styled sleeves. The front of the dress and sleeve cuffs are trimmed with bands of black velvet. The waist is loose in the front and fitted on the sides and back. The dress might have been worn for maternity purposes. The bodice is lined with cotton and the lining has a hook and eye closure. The front of the bodice has a snap closure and the skirt has a black velvet frog closure. The skirt is lined with cotton. The dress is in very good and sturdy condition. There is light underarm discoloration on the inside lining and a few scattered small holes but not major. B 32 W 34 Skirt length 40 Width at hemline 140.

From Me:

Sorry I haven't been posting much lately. I've been in full Pennsic prep mode and will be AWOL mostly until August 13th. I will be living it up like it's 1499 somewhere in the middle west of Pennsylvania.

I think this is 1850's although it certainly could have been worn in the 1860's. The reason for my date of 1850's is because of the fabric. The way it's styled, the print and colors look too similar to many other 1850's wrappers. Like this one or this one .

Mid 19th Century Wrapper

From the seller:

A charming 1860’s floral printed cotton antique robe that has been de-accessioned from the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The fabric has a floral pattern in shades or red, mauve and blue on a cream colored back ground. The robe is decorated with red, tan and teal blue geometric trim. It has pagoda styled sleeves and two side pockets. The armscyes are piped. It has a front button and loop closure. The robe is lined with cotton. It is in very good and sturdy condition. There are several missing buttons and some age discoloration. (See photos.). Loose fitting bust 40 Length from shoulder to hem 55.

From Me:

It's probably a bit earlier - 1850's. Here are some other dressing robes or wrappers that have similar cuts:

• 1850's Wrapper at the Met
• 1840's Dressing robe
• 1850's Dressing Robe

The original image from the Met

This is what the Met had up on this wrapper:

Wrapper Date: 1840–60 Culture: American Medium: cotton Dimensions: Length at CB: 60 in. (152.4 cm) Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. D. Chester Noyes, 1950

So, since the Met agrees with me rather than the seller, I'm putting this in the 1850's.