A white cotton infant morning dress, with ink-work on the chest band, hemline, and sleeve trimming. Possibly marked for later embroidery. Dated circa 1830.
2
Zilpah Longfellow's mourning dress, Portland, ca. 1804
Zilpah Wadsworth Longfellow's silk and cotton gauze mourning overdress. The underdress unfortunately does not survive. The extremely brittle overdress is part of an ensemble featuring a shawl and veil. Dated circa 1804.
3
Bradbury family mourning dress, Standish, ca. 1845
A back silk crepe drop shoulder dress, with ruching at the upper sleeve and above the cuff, a straight waist, and a slim, slightly gathered skirt with a deep panel of indigo cotton print on the lower inside. Dated 1840-1850.
Two-piece black taffeta drop shoulder, round neck dress with a trace of lace at the collar, front bodice closure, and bishop sleeves with small white lace cuffs, as well as a flat front skirt and side pleats. Dated 1860-1865.
An altered black taffeta one-piece dress with bishop sleeves. The bodice front updated with a band of mismatching brownish black silk, forming a square false yoke. Features similar trim on the sleeve cuff and skirt hemline, a straight waist with flat skirt front, and very tight gathers across the back. Dated 1860-1870.
A black taffeta long plain basque, with small standing velvet collar and velvet buttons, and modestly gathered skirt with a band of knife pleating along hemline. Dated 1875-1885.
A quality example of mourning clothing, this skirt is made from silk crepe, a popular fabric for mourning clothing during the late Victorian period. The bottom of this skirt is trimmed with six silk satin ruffles, the last two of which are reinforced with pieces of black horsehair. Dated circa 1900.
