Pink and brown stripe gown fragment

Status

Not on view

Date1770-1800

Medium/TechniqueSilk

DimensionsOverall: 3 1/8 in. × 2 3/4 in. (7.94 cm × 6.99 cm)

Credit LineGift of Harriet Seldon Heth, 1893

Object numberW-525/B

DescriptionThe fabric features a 4/1 warp-faced satin weave in a striped patter with a floral pattern done with weft floats. While the warp threads are different colors depending on placement, the weft threads are white all the way across. The warp yarns are slightly S-spun, and while the weft yarns may have originally shown a twist, they now appear to be unspun filament.

The pattern consists of thin, brown stripes alternating with a thicker stripe of maroon on top of which is a white floral vine motif. The pattern repeat is very small, repeating vertically ever 1 3/4 inches and horizontally every 1 9/16 inch. The repeat is a straight repeat rather than a point repeat.

The fragment has faded to a rusty brown and pale pink. There are stiff spots on the bottom right corner and center top, which are probably residual glue from a previous mounting attempt.

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