Beautiful Original Silk Blue Dress with Silk Cording Trim

Stunning 1860's Robins Egg Blue Silk Gown Civil War

From the Seller

Stunning 1860's Robins Egg Blue Silk Gown Civil War:  Even with all the issues this 1860's robins-egg blue silk gown is striking.  The bust is 32.5, the waist is 23 inches, the shoulders are 13.5 inches across, and the sleeve length is 19 inches.  The front skirt length from the waist band to the floor is 40 inches and it is 192” circumference at bottom of dress.  The dress does have holes and stains throughout, but it is still sturdy.  It is totally lined in ivory cotton.  It is missing three buttons and some hooks and eyes.  I love the silk rope accent in a circular pattern.  It is a one piece-dress that opens down the front of the bodice and the skirt closes on the side.  It is from the civil war period.  I purchased it in Massachusetts. I wonder about the life it lived.

From the Industrious Lady

Very pretty color, if it had to be named, it looks more like a Cerulean blue that has faded. This was a color created by George Rowney in 1860 that was made by combing cobalt and tin.1 The trim is unique, reminiscent of soutache or braid, although of a much larger diameter than normally seen. Godey's Ladies Magazine and Peterson's Magazine both show patterns of how to arrange the trim. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. ca 1862-1864

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. ca 1864

CDV found on pinterest posted from ebay,


1. MATTHEWS, K. O. L. A. N. J. I. K. O. M. B. I. L. (2018). Encyclopaedic Dictionary Of Textile Terms: volume 1;volume 1. Place of publication not identified: WOODHEAD Publishing INDIA.