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House of Worth

Reception Dress

Maker

House of Worth (French, 1858-1952), design house
Charles Frederick Worth (British, 1825-1895), designer

Title

Reception Dress

Year

ca. 1874

Medium

  • Silk plain weave with cotton net inserts and silk embroidery,
  • appliqué,
  • and fringe

Materials/Techniques

Techniques

  • Silk plain weave with cotton net inserts and silk embroidery,
  • applique,
  • and fringe

Materials

silk, cotton

Dimensions

63.5 cm (25 inches) (center back length)

Signature / Inscription / Marks

Label: Label (on silk waistband, day and evening bodice): Worth / 7, Rue de la Paix

Credit / Object Number

Credit

Gift of the Goddard family

Object Number

2005.89.12A

Type

  • Costume

Exhibition History

Swagged and Poufed
The Upholstered Body in the Late 19th-Century and Today
Jan 22, 2016 – Jul 03, 2016

Label copy

In this dress, made for a member of Providence’s Goddard family, the renowned couturier Charles Frederick Worth masterfully manipulated ribbons, draperies, pleated bands, and fringes into an elaborately layered autumnal ensemble. The bodice’s doublet silhouette and the false slashing on the sleeves allude to Renaissance styles. These historical references fluidly mix with contemporary trends, such as the yellow ochre and olive green color scheme (strongly associated with the Aesthetic movement; see the ca. 1880 curtain design at right) and the voluminous folds of the bustle drape and double swags defining the skirt at back. The ruched yellow panel at front closely resembles the festoon-blind window treatment in the illustration at far right.

Related Objects

House of Worth

Dress (day bodice evening bodice and skirt)

House of Worth

Three-piece Dress (day bodice evening bodice and skirt)
No Image Available

House of Worth

Three-piece Dress (day bodice evening bodice and skirt)

More objects +

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Tombstone

House of Worth (French, 1858-1952), design house
Charles Frederick Worth (British, 1825-1895), designer
Reception Dress, ca. 1874
Silk plain weave with cotton net inserts and silk embroidery, applique, and fringe
63.5 cm (25 inches) (center back length)
Gift of the Goddard family 2005.89.12A

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