Curator's Costume Episode 1: 18th Century Court Dress

Here is our first episode of Curator's Costume, and what better way to start than with this stunning 18th Century Court Dress.
More Information about the dress:
Sack-back dress in mauve and lilac woven silk brocade, with double-flounce lace sleeves and embroidered floral motifs in silver metallic thread, ribbon flowers and coloured silk trims.
Known as the ‘robe á la Française’ due to its French origins, this style of dress had a pleated length of material incorporated into the dress back from the neckline to the hemline, forming a flowing, voluminous shape called a ‘sack-back.’ This design feature, worn with a large hooped skirt, utilised many yards of fabric and was perfect for showcasing the intricate floral brocades and serpentine embroideries typical of the Rococo period. Representing an extreme ideal of artificial beauty, the exaggerated silhouette with a tightly fitted bodice and wide skirt expanded by panniers remained court dress until the French Revolution.
During conservation work undertaken in 2009 it was revealed that the dress had been altered, probably in the 19th century. There was evidence of silk facings and sleeve ruffles added to the bodice, and metal hooks and eyes of a later period. The side skirts had been altered, changing the original line of the dress. It is not uncommon for 18th century dresses surviving in museum collections to show signs of 19th century adaptation, often for use as fancy dress. This dress was donated to the Museum by the sister-in-law of illustrator E.H Shephard, and was once part of his collection of artist’s props. After careful consideration, the later 19th century additions were removed in an attempt to restore the 1760s appearance of the dress.
This dress, along with many others can be seen on display at Worthing Museum.
www.wtam.uk

[@DorothyJanetoo]

This video is delightful. The gown is indeed lovely, but I so enjoyed your interpretation. I look forward to more historic dresses! Thank you!

[@wtmworthing]

Thanks for your comment, we're really glad you enjoyed the video!

[@TimesmithDressHistory]

Thank you, Gerry. Lovely to see this gown so beautifully presented. Looking forward to more costume on this channel.

[@stephrichards5342]

Thanks Gerry. This is a great piece and a perfectly lovely gown.

[@wtmworthing]

Thank you Steph, we will be back with more costume related content soon!

[@stevezytveld6585]

That was wonderful, thank you to the team that put this together.
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[@jimsmith8435]

This was wonderful. Thank you!

[@sarak.5943]

I love the choices to color coordinate the stomacher and petticoat with the gown but to leave them plain. It really lets the viewer take in the gown as it would have been worn without distracting from it or inserting the “editor’s voice” by guessing what those things would have looked like.

[@marylennox288]

This was wonderful - so informative and learning about the dress and its context really brought it to life. I hope there will be more episodes!

[@mn4169]

love stuff like this

[@1982lalaland]

Gorgeous. Do you know anything of who wore it originally? I find it fascinating that it was kept safely and preserved so well for over 200 years, even before it came to the museum

[@bierjip1]

Pity you don't really get to see the back.